This week in Washington, I engaged in conversations with farmers representing different industry groups. We discussed the significance of crop insurance and the federal farm safety net within the farm bill. The farm bill is a comprehensive piece of legislation passed by Congress approximately every five years, addressing various aspects of agricultural and food policy in the United States.

Crop insurance is a critical risk management tool for farmers, allowing them to protect their investments against natural disasters such as droughts, floods, and pest infestations. It helps ensure financial stability for farmers and agricultural businesses while also providing food security for the nation.  

In the Armed Services Committee, I had the opportunity to question the head of European Command about the importance of ensuring that our NATO allies contribute their fair share to the collective defense. NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is a military alliance established in 1949 to promote security and cooperation among its member states. Member countries have agreed to spend a minimum of 2% of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on defense, but not all have met this target. I emphasized the need for equitable burden-sharing to maintain a strong and effective alliance.  

I also advocated for maintaining the lethality and capability of the B-2 bomber until the transition to the B-21 bomber is complete. Both of these bombers are and will continue to be housed at Whiteman Air Force Base in our district. The B-2 Spirit is a stealth bomber with a unique low-observable, or "stealth," design that enables it to penetrate enemy air defenses and deliver precision-guided munitions.

The B-21 Raider, currently under development, is set to replace the B-2 as the next-generation long-range strike bomber. As the transition occurs, it is crucial to ensure that the B-2 remains an effective component of our nation's defense arsenal. This entails investing in upgrades and maintenance to extend the life of the B-2 fleet until the B-21 is ready for full operational deployment. By doing so, we can preserve our strategic deterrence capabilities and protect our national security interests.

This week I voiced my support for the Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023. The bill aims to increase the federal debt limit and reduce spending, while implementing a series of changes to energy tax credits, energy project permitting processes, and work requirements for welfare programs like SNAP. The debt limit will be suspended until March 31, 2024, or until the debt increases by $1.5 trillion.

The legislation:

• Establishes new discretionary spending limits for fiscal years 2024-2033, which include reductions in spending
• Rescinds certain unobligated funds initially designated for addressing COVID-19 and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS);

• Nullifies certain executive actions and regulations for canceling federal student loan debt and implementing income-driven repayment plans for student loans.

Lastly, the bill introduces new work requirements for Medicaid recipients and expands existing work requirements for SNAP and the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. Furthermore, it stipulates that major federal rules, such as those with an annual economic effect of at least $100 million, must be approved by Congress before they can take effect.

I believe the Chinese Communist Party is the most serious threat our nation is currently facing: We have to be ready. That means rebuilding our military and making sure we have the assets and ammunitions in place.

Deterrence is the best option. We do not have time to wait.

Watch more here

Military Academy Nomination

This week, three military academy nominations were announced: 

• Ethan Faircloth will attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point
• Ava Lawless will attend the U.S. Air Force Academy
• Megan Trautweiler will attend the U.S. Naval Academy

A huge shoutout to everyone who helped make this happen, including former Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler.  Moments like these are why I decided to run for Congress. These individuals have dedicated their young lives to achieving this dream and it was an honor to present them with the news.

Congressional Art Competition

The annual Congressional Art Competition took place at the University of Central Missouri, with over 40 submissions from students across Missouri's 4th Congressional District. 

Edith Caryn Whitney was declared the winner and will have her artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a full year. The event was made possible thanks to the efforts of UCM, President Roger Best, and David Pearce.

Check out some photos from the event!

Open House

My team and I had the privilege of hosting our first open house in the Raymore office. It was an honor to get to spend some time with you all and chat about what our team can do for you.

My number one job in Congress is to help folks here in Missouri. With that being said, please do not ever hesitate to call one of our offices.

Check out some photos from the Open House!

Mondays With Mark

We had awesome 'Mark Mondays' at our Raymore office! My main goal in Washington is to help y’all every day. Being super reachable and all ears to what you have to say is where it all starts!

Check out some photos from the event!

If anyone you know needs assistance with any agency of the federal government, please contact my team in Raymore, Columbia, or Lebanon. Whether it's the IRS, Social Security, passports, veterans’ affairs, or anything else related to the federal government, please give us a call at one of the following numbers:

• Raymore: 816-441-6318
• Columbia: 573-540-6600

Meanwhile, if you have questions about legislation going through Congress, my office in Washington, D.C. can take care of you. My team in D.C. can be reached at 202-225-2876.

My number one job in Congress is to help folks here in Missouri. Please do not ever hesitate to call my offices at the numbers listed above.

I truly care about and will always be working for you.