Hey folks, I hope you had a great Easter and wanted to let you know that my team and I are always working hard to be a strong MO-04 representation in Washington.

My team was busy in the District last week. This week, I had the honor of visiting Israel for an eye-opening experience.

Last week, Chairman of Small Business, Rep. Roger Williams and I led six of our colleagues in sending a letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA). 

This letter addressed concerns about the SBA's return-to-work policy and specifically requested the following information:

1) The action plan on returning to work that SBA submitted to the Office of Management and Budget at the request of White House Chief of Staff, Jeff Zients.

2)The average number of days SBA employees spend in telework status during a pay period.

3) The percentage of employees who spend entire pay periods in telework status.

4) The current number of permanent employees with SBA’s Headquarters as their primary office.

5) The percentage of applicable employees currently complying with the guideline of five days in the office per pay period.

6) The rationale behind the Small Business Administration's need for $42,000,000 for office space when the vast majority of its employees work remotely.

7) All communications and written documents concerning the Congressional visit that occurred on December 3, 2023.

Chairman Williams and I feel that it is long past time for Washington to get back to work for Main Street.

We want Administrator Guzman to give the public an explanation as to why she is requesting $42,000,000 for a nearly empty building.

I sincerely hope Administrator Guzman shares her action plan for getting the SBA back to work for America’s 33 million small businesses.

On the Ground in Israel

While in Israel this week, we went to the site of the Supernova Sukkot Gathering Music Festival. This is where the massacre took place, and Hamas terrorists flew over the border, killing hundreds of innocent Israeli people. This land is now a memorial where people come to pay their respects to the lives lost.

My colleagues and I have only been here a few days so far, and it's been a truly sobering experience.We continue to pray for our friends in Israel, in Jewish communities, and all affected by this attack.

Watch here.

Newsmax

I joined Wake up America to talk about the state of our southern border.

Watch here.

NOAA Office

My team and I toured the NOAA office in Pleasant Hill, Mo.

We met with members of NOAA's 43 staff members and discussed concerns of drought, water runoff into the Missouri River Basin, and were even able to issue a tornado warning. (It was a test!)

We loved getting to see the great work they do for #MO04. What an informative visit!

MU EXTENSION & 4-H STUDENTS MEETING

I had a great discussion on what these students are involved in, what MU extension does to provide help to 4-H students across the state, and what agriculture means to them.

Some students were involved with horses, dogs, wood working, and even photography!

Our educational meeting today gives me hope for the next generation. We are proud of everything these students are doing to improve #MO-04!

Walmart Distribution Center

Being one of the 49 Walmart Distribution Centers in the United States with over 1 million square feet and 750+ employees, each person plays a key part to keep Missourians fed.

I learned about bananas and how they are the number one item sold in America. They ripen in the distribution centers for 3-5 days before they are sent to stores!

We enjoyed talking with employees about the Farm Bill and the important role they all play in feeding our great nation.

My team and I are so proud to have this distribution center in #MO04!

Ag Advisory Committee

We spoke about raising reference prices, insuring federal crop insurance stays in the Farm Bill, protecting stepped-up basis, and cutting the waste, abuse, and fraud out of the SNAP program.

It's an honor to fight for the farmers and ranchers of Missouri's 4th Congressional District!

Independent Stave Company

The Stave Company was founded by TW Boswell OVER 100 years ago.

They are the largest cooperage in the world, distributing to OVER 500 businesses around the world. Not only are they one of the largest barrel distributors in the world, but The Independent Stave Company is using primarily Missouri White Oak to construct their barrels. Congress must continue to push policies that allow businesses like this to thrive.

What an amazing tour! We are beyond honored to have this amazing company in #MO04.

COMING UP!

Congressional Speech Competition 

Letters were sent to all the High School’s Principals in Missouri’s 4^th District, asking their students to write a short speech on the prompt, “What America Means to Me.”  Speeches should be one-minute in length and no longer than 110 words. 

Submissions should be sent to  USRep.AlfordProject@mail.house.gov by 5:00pm CST on April 12th, 2024 and include the student’s name, high school, and grade.  County Commissioners, along with other Officials will review the submissions and select the best speech from each of the 24 counties in the 4^th district by April 19^th. 

From those selections, Congressman Alford will select the top ten speeches, and will give those speeches on the House Floor.

Congressional Art Competition 

The Congressional Institute is proud to sponsor the U.S. House of Representatives official art competition for high school students. Each year House Members honor one high school student from their districts by selecting a piece of artwork for inclusion in an exhibit at the U.S. Capitol. Millions of visitors to the U.S. Capitol view this exhibit each year.  https://vimeo.com/912077915/3e7f90edcd?share=copy

Initiated by Members of the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982, this officially sanctioned bipartisan annual art competition allows high school students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories to showcase their artistic ability. Now in its 43^rd year, more than 10,000 works of art have been exhibited.

This is our 2^nd year to participate, as the Art Show/Competition will take place on the beautiful campus of UCM in Warrensburg on Saturday, April 27^th, 2024.  Prior to that, high school students across the 4^th district are busy creating works of art for this year’s theme, ‘Agriculture’.

From a barn, field, fence post, cow, horse, chicken, roster, silo, train, tractor, goat, alpaca, sheep, seeds, bags of seeds, wheat, sunrise over a field, sunset over a field, a farmer, anything, and everything that has to do with ‘AG’ we are asking high school students to put their imagination to work and let their creativity begin!

Deadline to enter the Art Competition is April 15^th.   All participating students need to fill out a Release Form that can be located at: https://congressionalinstitute.org and submitted to:  USRep.AlfordProject@mail.house.gov

For the 22^nd year, Southwest Airlines is generously donating two round-trip tickets for each winner and a guest to attend this year’s Celebration at the Capital in Washington, DC on June 27, 2024. Without Southwest’s generosity, many—if not most—winners would be unable to make the trip to D.C. for the Celebration.