Dear [firstname] [lastname],
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Hey folks, my team and I are staying busy in the district and in Washington. We wanted to let you know of all the things we are working on for Missouri's Fourth Congressional District!
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My team and I had an incredible time at the Celebration of Modern Agriculture on the National Mall. It was a great opportunity to bring together policymakers and consumers to learn more about the agriculture industry. The equipment and technology solutions showcased today will solve the challenges of tomorrow and will help our farmers and ranchers feed, clothe, and fuel the world.
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Last week, Congress celebrated National Small Business Week. I believe that when America' small businesses are strong, America is strong. I will continue to advocate for the small businesses in MO-04 and for the polices that keep our economy thriving and our community strong.
Here are some of the things the House Small Business Committee is delivering for Main Street:
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My colleagues and I have recently returned from a congressional delegation trip to Taiwan. We were on the ground, up close and personal to see the country, its people, and its leaders.
We met met with the President and Vice President-Elect and continued to strengthen our relationship with a great ally.
China's continued aggression in the Indo-Pacific is concerning; we must adopt a posture of deterrence to protect Taiwan.
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We had a Small Business Committee Hearing this week titled “Stifling Innovation: Examining the Impacts of Regulatory Burdens on Small Businesses in Healthcare"
I spoke about how when rural providers in Missouri's 4th district are hit with high costs, they shut down which leaves patients stranded.
Burdensome regulations have an even more adverse effect on those in rural communities because patients have a small window of options if they close their doors.
I will continue to fight for policies that help the rural providers and the rural communities that keep #MO04 going. Watch here.
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My colleagues and I held a Small Business Committee hearing last week examining FinCEN’s implementation of the Corporate Transparency Act.
Small firms are least able to absorb compliance costs. Improvements must be made to the CTA. Main Street cannot continue to bear the brunt of this!
Watch here. |
My House Armed Service Committee colleagues and I are very concerned about the cap placed on defense spending as we are trying to deter two adversaries.
Hostile powers are on the march across the globe, during what I see as an inflection point in our history.
This is why I asked Secretary Austin and General Brown what can the DOD do to make changes and how can we, in Congress, help?
Watch here.
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Two weeks ago, I traveled with a bipartisan Congressional delegation to Taiwan. Accompanying me was our Republican House Conference Secretary, Lisa McClain, with whom I recapped our entire trip on an episode of Mark Alford’s America.
On the trip, we met with the leaders of the country, including the outgoing President Tsai and the incoming President Lai. We discussed the importance of the United States standing with Taiwan and strengthening our relationship. We got to see the people, we got to see the country, and that’s what these congressional delegations serve as: an opportunity to dive deeper and be on the ground in the country. It was a truly great experience.
But folks, here’s what I took away from that trip: We are at a critical moment in American history. China’s continued aggression in the Indo-Pacific is deeply concerning for our national security, our economic security, and our food security. Taiwan is strategically and geopolitically significant. The United States has a national interest in protecting Taiwan. Taiwan controls 68% of the semiconductor market, 21% of global trade flows through the South China Sea and the Straits of Taiwan, and they are uniquely positioned in the world. Whoever controls that area, I believe, will control vast amounts of economic trade and commerce.
That’s the strategic importance of why Taiwan matters.
Furthermore, the Taiwanese people are strong, independent, and free-minded. This continued aggression, directly against Taiwan and in the region, is concerning for their safety and does not bode well for peace. And that’s what I want at the end of the day: Congress doesn’t want war, no one wants this aggression. I want peace. However, it is crucial that the United States continues to aid in the protection of Taiwan.
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Fox Business
I joined Fox Business to talk about my trip to Taiwan & my and my colleague's commitment to upholding the tenets of the Taiwan Relations Act.
With a leader like Xi Jinping trying to push Taiwan around and cut it off from the rest of the world, we believe that deterrence is the best way forward.
Watch here.
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Real America's Voice
I spoke on Real America's Voice about how I can see our some of our elite American universities are suffering from weakening administrative leadership. I believe that we, in Congress, need to examine every resource and mechanism possible to rein in these institutions. |
Honoring April Veteran of the Month on the House Floor
Our April Veteran of the Month is Craig A. Alderman! Attaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry and Wildlife Biology, with a minor in accounting from the University of Massachusetts, he also enlisted in the Air Force as an ROTC Cadet, becoming Commander of the ROTC unit.
Upon graduation as a qualified B-52 Pilot, he was qualified to fly any multi-engine jet, heavy as well as all the other civilian ratings. He was assigned to Wurstmith AFB, in MI, where he qualified on the B-52 G model as well. He now attained the rank of Captain.
Craig has 2800 hours of flight time in the B-52. While at Wurtsmith, he founded a civilian/military rescue service assisting lost or injured people using the vast Huron-Manistee National Forest Trail System. He was selected by Michigan State University to teach multiple use Graduate Level Conservation Courses in Lansing.
Craig received multiple medals and awards in the Air Force as a pilot but he is most proud of the initial silver wings he earned. He was selected for promotion to Major.
Watch here.
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Honoring April Small Business of the Month on the House Floor
Our Small Business of the month for April is Kleinschmidt's Western Store in Higginsville, Missouri!
Providing the Midwest with western apparel and accessories of the highest quality--this household name has been family owned and operated since 1969.
Over 54 years ago, the founders Irvin and Katherine Kelinschmidt established a mission: supporting our local community while providing unparalleled inventory and exceptional customer service.
Congratulations to Kleinschmidt's! Watch here.
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Mondays with Mark
We had a great time at our Raymore Office for Mondays with Mark!
It was great to be with you all before I headed back to Washington to keep fighting for you. As always, this is a great opportunity to discuss everything going on in DC.
Thank you to everyone who came out!!!
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Congressional Academy Commemoration
One of my favorite parts about of serving in Congress is the privilege to nominate and appoint our best and brightest students to the finest military academies the world has ever known.
These students undergo a rigorous application, testing, and screening process, which ultimately leads to their nomination and appointment. We are deeply grateful for their hard work, commitment to our country, and their future service to our great nation.
Please join me in congratulating this year's service academy appointees.
2028 Academy Appointees: • David Butler, U.S. Air Force Academy • Elias Oerly, U.S. Air Force Academy • Kase Overstreet, U.S. Military Academy •Charles Goetz, U.S. Military Academy • Cody Leung, U.S. Naval Academy
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Lower MO River Spinoff Meeting
Our team attended the Lower MO River Spinoff meeting in Jefferson City at MoDNR headquarters, along with a representative from Congressman Luetkemeyer’s office.
The meeting was put on by USACE to allow for open dialogue about the study that’s been in process since the 2019 flood. They discussed all the possible alternative plans for the existing levee from creating an entirely new one all the way to doing nothing at all.
This was a very well attended meeting by area residents as well as representatives from interested commodity groups. The discussion had was in-depth and helped clear up many of the questions those in attendance had. USACE plans to continue to host more meetings like this as they continue to approach milestones in the flood study.
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United States Naturalization Ceremony for the Western District of Missouri
It was great for our team to attend the United States Naturalization Ceremony for the Western District of Missouri. The event was held at Marshfield High School in conjunction with the Missouri Cherry Blossom festival, where 35 applicants from 21 different countries became official citizens of the United States! Representatives from Senator Schmitt & Hawley’s offices as well as from Congressman Burlison’s office were also in attendance and shared words from their respective members of congress.
Mary Jean Eisenhower, the granddaughter of Former President Dwight Eisenhower was a special guest speaker and Massee McKinley, great-great nephew to Former President William McKinley and great-great grandson to Former President Grover Cleveland sang America the Beautiful. Overall, it was a truly incredible event, and it was so exciting to get to be a small part of such an amazing day.
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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
- Lebanon: 417-532-5582
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. |
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