﻿<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<rss version="2.0">
  <channel>
    <title>Alford, Mark RSS Articles</title>
    <description>Alford, Mark RSS Articles</description>
    <link>http://alford.house.gov/</link>
    <lastBuildDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT</lastBuildDate>
    <docs>http://backend.userland.com/rss</docs>
    <generator>RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/</generator>
    <item>
      <title>Alford, Broadcasters Caucus Co-Chairs Lead 91 Lawmakers in Urging FCC to Set Firm Timeline for National Transition to NextGen TV</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) and the other Co-Chairs of the Congressional Broadcasters Caucus, Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Mike Flood (NE-01), and Darren Soto (FL-09), led a &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href="https://alford.house.gov/UploadedFiles/3.27.26_Letter_to_FCC_re_ATS_3.0_Transition.pdf"&gt;letter&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt; to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr, Commissioner Anna Gomez, and Commissioner Olivia Trusty.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Joined by 87 of their colleagues, the lawmakers are urging the FCC to establish a firm timeline for the nationwide transition from ATSC 1.0 to ATSC 3.0 or "NextGen TV" to ensure industry certainty, continued manufacturing investments, strengthened competitiveness of free and local broadcasting, and a smooth, consumer-focused transition.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Read the full letter to the FCC &lt;a href="https://alford.house.gov/UploadedFiles/3.27.26_Letter_to_FCC_re_ATS_3.0_Transition.pdf"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt; or below:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Dear Chairman Carr, Commissioner Gomez, and Commissioner Trusty:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“We are pleased to see that last year, the Federal Communications Commission (‘FCC’ or ‘Commission’) took an important step toward establishing a firm transition plan for rolling out the Next Generation Television standard (‘Next Gen TV’ or ‘ATSC 3.0’). We now urge the Commission to take the next steps to bring this transition to completion and unlock the full range of benefits enabled by the Next Gen TV platform. It is of utmost importance that local broadcast stations throughout the country are able to serve our constituents not only with the improved pictures, sounds, and interactive features that Next Gen TV provides, but also with expanded local news capabilities, advanced emergency alerting, and the ability to deliver hyper-localized content that is the fabric of our local communities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“More than 75% of the U.S. population – across 80 markets – already has access to Next Gen TV. Consumers have purchased more than 14 million compatible television sets and are already enjoying the benefits of enhanced video and audio quality and interactive features. Yet while local markets continue to launch, the lack of a firm transition timeline threatens the broad availability of these benefits to rural and urban markets alike and slows market momentum.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“&lt;u&gt;Regulatory certainty would spur manufacturer investment.&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Broadcasters and device manufacturers alike need regulatory certainty to make long-term investments and fully realize the potential of this technology. Manufacturers may hesitate to scale device production while consumer demand for Next Gen remains limited, yet broadcasters cannot spark that demand until they regain access to their full channel capacity and can showcase the full capabilities of ATSC 3.0. By establishing a clear path forward, the Commission can help overcome these natural market hesitations and ensure that free, over-the-air television continues to thrive and evolve to meet viewers’ needs, rather than risk gradual erosion through inaction. A clear signal from the FCC that the transition is moving forward will unlock greater manufacturer investment in the consumer device marketplace – a win-win that fosters competition and ensures that viewers benefit from a vibrant marketplace of affordable, Next Gen TV-ready products. A firm transition date would catalyze the entire ecosystem, focusing technical development, accelerating deployment, and creating a predictable path forward.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“&lt;u&gt;Regulatory certainty would also ensure continued access to high-value content.&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“As the video marketplace evolves, it has become a competitive imperative for video platforms to deliver ultra-high-definition (4K) programming. This is particularly essential to the continued vitality and competitiveness of local television broadcasters’ free, local, and trusted service in our communities. Without the certainty of a firm transition, broadcasters will struggle to compete for high-value programming such as 4K sports, risking a shift of that content to tech platforms, undermining decades of investment in local news. Viewers would lose a free, over-the-air option that provides a wide variety of compelling programming and community-focused journalism.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“&lt;u&gt;Finally, and most importantly, regulatory certainty would also bring critical public safety and national security benefits.&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“A date-certain transition to ATSC 3.0 is essential to enable a terrestrial complement to GPS nationwide utilizing the precise timing signals from broadcast towers. If GPS is disrupted by jamming, spoofing, or other means, our nation’s vital infrastructure – from financial markets to transportation and everything in between – would be at risk. A swift transition to ATSC 3.0 can facilitate a GPS complement that is incredibly resilient, but only if the FCC acts swiftly in this transition.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Just as the FCC has successfully championed other innovative technologies like 5G, Wi-Fi, and the 2009 digital TV transition, the time is now for the FCC to transition to Next Gen TV. We urge the FCC to work with Congress and industry to ensure a smooth transition and to protect consumers with legacy TVs, so that all viewers and local communities benefit from the opportunities enabled by the upgrade from ATSC 1.0 to ATSC 3.0.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.”&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1518</link>
      <guid>http://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1518</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Alford, Costa, A. Smith Introduce National Ag Day Resolution</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04), Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), and Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03) introduced a bipartisan resolution designating March 24, 2026, as National Agriculture Day and recognizing the importance of agriculture as one of the most impactful industries in the United States.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Read the text of the resolution &lt;a href="https://alford.house.gov/UploadedFiles/3.24.2026_National_Agriculture_Day_Resolution.pdf"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“&lt;i&gt;Our farmers and ranchers around the clock all year to feed, clothe, and fuel the world,” &lt;/i&gt;&lt;b&gt;said Congressman Alford&lt;/b&gt;&lt;i&gt;. “This industry has been recognized on National Agriculture Day for decades, and we’re proud to play our part to ensure our agriculture community continues to receive this honor. Agriculture is the cornerstone of communities across Missouri and all of America. I’m pleased to partner with Congressmen Costa and Smith to get our farmers and ranchers the recognition they deserve.”&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“Agriculture is the backbone of our nation, and the hardworking farmers, ranchers, dairymen, and women of the San Joaquin Valley, and across the country deserve our recognition and support every day,”&lt;/i&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;b&gt;said Rep. Costa.&lt;/b&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;i&gt;“National Agriculture Day reminds us that food security is a national security issue. Our farmers feed much of the world, strengthen our economy, and protect our country. As a third-generation farmer, I am proud to stand with my colleagues in celebrating their essential role in sustaining our communities and our nation.”&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;"On National Agriculture Day we celebrate and show our gratitude to America's ag producers for their continued efforts to feed, fuel, and clothe our nation and the world. The agriculture industry is the backbone of the economy in communities throughout rural America, including those in Nebraska’s Third District which leads the country in agricultural production. Today, I am proud to partner with Congressmen Alford and Costa to recognize the essential role farmers and ranchers continue to play in America’s success,"&lt;/i&gt;&lt;b&gt;&amp;nbsp;said Congressman Smith.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The resolution is also cosponsored by Reps. Rob Bresnahan, Juan Ciscomani, David Rouzer, Andrea Salinas, Pete Sessions, Gabe Evans, Julia Letlow, Rick Crawford, Daniel Webster, Randy Feenstra, Zach Nunn, Austin Scott, Andy Harris, Tracey Mann, Brad Finstad, Mary Miller, Angie Craig, Robert Aderholt, and John Rose.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1513</link>
      <guid>http://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1513</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Alford Announces DHS Releases World Cup Security Funding Following Republican Push</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Washington, DC— Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) announced today that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has begun releasing federal security funding for host cities of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including Kansas City, following a Republican push led by Alford earlier this week.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Kansas City has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to host the world during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. We have been pushing for this funding to be released for some time, and earlier this week I led a letter urging DHS to move forward so our city can continue preparing the strong security operations this event requires. I’m glad to see this funding now moving forward in spite of the Democrats' reckless DHS shutdown, so our local leaders and law enforcement can finally have the resources they need to safely host this global event,” said Congressman Mark Alford.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;On March 10, Rep. Alford led a letter with Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) urging DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to release the $625 million in federal security funding that Congress appropriated for World Cup host cities in the Working Families Tax Cut Law.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This funding is critical for security planning, personnel, equipment, and coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement ahead of one of the largest international sporting events ever hosted in the United States.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Read the full letter to Secretary Noem&lt;a href="https://alford.house.gov/UploadedFiles/3.10.2026_World_Cup_Security_Funding.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"&gt; here&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This critical funding was secured by Republicans through the Working Families Tax Cut Law to ensure host cities have the resources necessary to implement robust security operations.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Earlier this week, Alford and Schmidt warned that delays in the grant process were creating uncertainty for local officials responsible for coordinating security plans, contracting vendors, and preparing law enforcement operations ahead of the tournament.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Kansas City is one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is expected to bring millions of visitors to the United States.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1504</link>
      <guid>http://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1504</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 13 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Kansas City Area Republicans Urge DHS to Release World Cup Security Funding from the Working Families Tax Cut Law</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) led a &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href="https://alford.house.gov/UploadedFiles/3.10.2026_World_Cup_Security_Funding.pdf"&gt;letter&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt; with Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem. The Congressmen are urging Secretary Noem to release World Cup security funding through the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In the Working Families Tax Cut law, Republicans secured $625 million in federal funding for World Cup host cities’ security operations, including Kansas City, without the support of a single Democrat. This funding cannot be allowed to be stalled by Democrats’ reckless shutdown of DHS because it is essential for planning and executing the safety and security operations required to host an international event.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Read the full letter to Secretary Noem &lt;a href="https://alford.house.gov/UploadedFiles/3.10.2026_World_Cup_Security_Funding.pdf"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Read key excerpts below:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Dear Secretary Noem:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“We write today regarding the $625 million in federal security funding Congress provided for the 2026 FIFA World Cup host cities. With less than 100 days remaining until kickoff, host cities across the United States, including Kansas City, still have not received notification of their grant awards. This uncertainty is creating serious challenges for local officials who are responsible for preparing security operations for one of the largest global events ever hosted on American soil.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“The ongoing Democrat shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has further complicated this process. As you have noted publicly, by shutting down DHS, Democrats have forced significant portions of FEMA staff to be placed on administrative leave, including many of the personnel responsible for reviewing and processing these grants. The longer Democrats refuse to appropriately fund DHS, the more difficult it becomes for host cities to finalize contracts, procure equipment, and complete the necessary planning to safely host this global event. It is critical that DHS operations return to full capacity as soon as possible so the Department can carry out its essential mission of protecting the American people and preparing our communities for the World Cup.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Congress appropriated these funds last year through the Working Families Tax Cut Law, one of President Trump’s signature achievements, to ensure that host cities could implement the robust security measures required for an event of this scale. The Notice of Funding Opportunity anticipated that awards would be made no later than January 30, yet those notifications have not been issued. As a result, local governments and host committees remain unable to finalize contracts, procure equipment, or hire the personnel necessary to secure the event.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“This funding is not optional. It is essential for planning and executing the safety and security operations required to protect millions of visitors, athletes, and spectators who will travel to the United States for the tournament.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Recent events underscore why this funding must be released as quickly as possible. The ongoing major combat operations in Iran have significantly elevated global security concerns, and intelligence officials have warned that Iranian retaliation or proxy activity could target U.S. interests. Experts have specifically warned that large international gatherings such as the 2026 World Cup could present attractive targets for terrorism or lone-actor attacks during periods of geopolitical tension.&amp;nbsp; Ensuring that host cities have the resources necessary to prepare robust counterterrorism measures, coordinate with federal agencies, and secure high-profile venues is therefore not just a logistical matter but a critical national security priority. …&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;“Despite the reckless, dangerous, and irresponsible Democrat DHS shutdown, we respectfully urge the Department to finalize the review process and release the World Cup security grants as quickly as possible so that host cities can complete their preparations.”&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1503</link>
      <guid>http://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1503</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 10 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Real Estate Caucus, Republican Study Committee Leaders Urge Trump Administration to Index Capital Gains Taxes for Inflation</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Today, Real Estate Caucus Co-Chairs, Congressmen Mark Alford (MO-04) and Tracey Mann (KS-01), as well as Republican Study Committee (RSC) Chairman August Pfluger (TX-11) led a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The lawmakers are urging the Trump Administration to use its existing authority to index capital gains taxes for inflation, which will address housing affordability concerns and expand homeownership by unlocking the existing housing supply, while also promoting long term investment in American communities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The letter was also signed by Real Estate Caucus and Republican Study Committee Members, including Reps. Ben Cline (VA-06), Scott Perry (PA-04), John Rose (TN-06), Jimmy Patronis (FL-01) and John McGuire (VA-05).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Read the full letter to Secretary Bessent &lt;a href="https://alford.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Capital_Gains_Letter.pdf"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt; or below:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“Dear Secretary Bessent:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“We write to urge you to utilize existing executive authority to remove the inflation tax on savings and investment by indexing the Department of the Treasury’s calculation of capital gains tax liability to inflation.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“Homeownership and long-term real estate investment remain central to achieving the American Dream for millions of families. Yet under current tax treatment, taxpayers are often required to pay capital gains taxes not only on real economic appreciation, but also on nominal gains attributable solely to inflation. This treatment is inconsistent with basic tax fairness and undermines incentives for long-term investment in housing and real property.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“In 2019, a group of Senate Republicans led by Senator Ted Cruz urged the Treasury Department to use its existing authority to eliminate inflationary gains from the calculation of capital gains. They correctly noted that defining cost basis in a manner that removes the unfair inflation tax on savings would be a positive, pro-growth reform the Administration could undertake without additional legislation. We agree with that assessment.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“For homeowners in particular, inflation indexing is especially important at a time when housing affordability remains a top concern for American families. Families who purchase a home or small real estate investment often hold that asset for many years or decades. Over long holding periods, a substantial share of the nominal gain may reflect inflation rather than true increases in real value. Taxing these phantom gains can discourage housing mobility, lock up housing supply, penalize long-term homeowners, and distort real estate investment decisions.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“Four years of runaway inflation under President Biden have only intensified this problem. American families have already seen their purchasing power eroded, and homeowners should not face an additional tax penalty driven by inflationary pressures beyond their control. Your Administration should not be hamstrung by the inflationary environment inherited from the Biden era. Indexing capital gains to inflation would provide immediate, targeted relief by ensuring taxpayers are taxed only on real gains, not price-level distortions.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“Reducing these distortions would help improve housing market fluidity at a moment when many communities face tight inventory and elevated home prices. By lessening the tax penalty associated with selling appreciated property, inflation indexing can help free up existing housing stock, encourage reinvestment in local communities, and support a healthier, more affordable housing market for first-time buyers and growing families.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“According to analysis from the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, a significant share of unrealized capital gains reflects inflation rather than real growth. Indexing capital gains to inflation would ensure taxpayers pay tax only on real income, aligning capital gains treatment with the inflation adjustments already applied elsewhere in the tax code, including individual income tax brackets.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“Legal scholarship spanning decades indicates that the Treasury Department has authority to define cost basis for purposes of capital gains calculations. Utilizing this authority to exclude inflationary gains would be a straightforward administrative action grounded in fairness and sound tax policy.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“American families, homeowners, and job creators should not be taxed on phantom income created solely by inflation. We therefore respectfully urge you to direct the Department of the Treasury to implement inflation indexing of capital gains as expeditiously as possible.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“The Real Estate Caucus stands ready to work with your Administration to advance policies that expand homeownership, unlock housing supply, and promote long-term investment in American communities.”&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1501</link>
      <guid>http://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1501</guid>
      <pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Alford, Vernetti Introduce Bills to Protect Elections from Illegal Alien Influence</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Today, Congressman Mark Alford (R-Lake Winnebago) and State Representative Jeff Vernetti (R-Camdenton) introduced complementary bills to restore the integrity of the citizen initiative petition process. Specifically, both bills will require non-profits that engage in election-related or political work to participate in the federal E-Verify program.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Following reports of illegal aliens being employed by out-of-state nonprofits to collect signatures for Missouri ballot initiatives, which was first&amp;nbsp;&lt;a href="https://x.com/AGCHanaway/status/1991622663585009846"&gt;&lt;b&gt;uncovered&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&amp;nbsp;by Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, these bills will protect our ballot initiative petition process from being influenced by illegal aliens.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Read Congressman Alford’s federal legislation, the &lt;i&gt;Protect our Ballots Act, &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href="https://alford.house.gov/UploadedFiles/E_Verify_Electioneering_Bill.pdf"&gt;&lt;b&gt;here&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Read Rep. Vernetti’s state-level legislation, H.B. 3383, here.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“Election integrity is one of the most pressing issues facing elected officials at all levels,” &lt;/i&gt;&lt;b&gt;said Congressman Mark Alford&lt;/b&gt;&lt;i&gt;. “The sanctity of our elections, regardless of whether one is voting for President of the United States, a ballot petition, or a local school board, is paramount to the survival of our republic. Requiring nonprofits who engage in election-related activity to participate in the E-Verify program is a commonsense step to ensure our elections are not influenced by illegal aliens. I’m proud to parter with by good friend, Rep. Jeff Vernetti, on these critical bills.”&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;"I am proud to partner with Congressman Alford to combat out-of-state signature collectors, some of whom are employing illegal aliens to negatively affect Missouri's Constitution," &lt;/i&gt;&lt;b&gt;said Representative Jeff Vernetti.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;i&gt;&amp;nbsp; "Requiring nonprofit corporations to use the E-Verify system is a vital step Missouri must take in order to protect the citizen initiative petition process."&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1489</link>
      <guid>http://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1489</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Alford, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Expand Critical Access Hospital Benefits for Rural Facilities</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) introduced the &lt;i&gt;Sustaining Rural Healthcare Act&lt;/i&gt;. This legislation will expand access to care and provide a financial lifeline for struggling hospitals in rural communities by creating a new “In Character” Critical Access Hospital designation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This comes after the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) services instituted an updated mapping framework, causing some rural hospitals to lose eligibility for Critical Access Hospital (CAH) designation, despite the physical location of the facility being unchanged. This designation will create parity for the financial benefits between typical Critical Access Hospitals and those under the newly created In Character Critical Access Hospital designation.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Read the text of the legislation &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href="https://alford.house.gov/UploadedFiles/Sustaining_Rural_Healthcare_Act.pdf"&gt;&lt;b&gt;here&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“We aren’t just talking about supporting Missouri’s rural hospitals, we’re taking action,” &lt;/i&gt;&lt;b&gt;said Congressman Alford.&lt;/b&gt;&lt;i&gt; “This vital legislation will sustain our rural hospitals like Bates County Memorial, preventing closures and ensuring continued access to emergency care for communities like those in the Fourth District. After visiting almost every rural hospital in the Fourth District, I’ve seen first-hand how these facilities are often the only places families can turn to when they need care. We’re proud to introduce the Sustaining Rural Healthcare Act and double down on our efforts to support rural health care providers.”&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For example, Bates County Memorial Hospital would gain eligibility to become an In Character Critical Access Hospital and receive the corresponding financial benefits. While CMS maintains it is less than 35 miles from the next nearest hospital, which would block its eligibility under the current CAH framework, the mileage is not indicative of travel time for many Bates County residents due to the lack of infrastructure and isolation of some areas.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“Bates County Memorial Hospital is not designated as a Critical Access Hospital, yet we serve a largely rural population with Medicare and Medicaid as our primary payers. Unlike nearby Critical Access Hospitals, which receive cost-based reimbursement and access to the 340B program, we are paid under a system that does not reflect the true cost of providing 24/7 emergency and essential services in a low-volume rural setting. Those hospitals can better absorb inflation and rising labor costs — protections we do not have — even as we compete with them for limited clinical staff,” &lt;/i&gt;&lt;b&gt;said Bates County Memorial Hospital CEO Greg Weaver M.A., MHA, EMT-P&lt;/b&gt;&lt;i&gt;.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“To sustain services, we have relied on reserves to cover operational losses. While this has protected access in the short term, it reduces our days' cash on hand and is not sustainable. Without change, we risk becoming another rural Missouri hospital closure. Seeking Critical Access Hospital designation is not about growth — it is about financial stability, equitable reimbursement, and proactively protecting healthcare access for our community.”&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Sustaining Rural Healthcare Act is co-led by Reps. Henry Cuellar (TX-28), Glenn “GT” Thompson (PA-15), and Jill Tokuda (HI-02).&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“Border communities like ours in South Texas rely on rural hospitals to deliver care close to home,”&lt;/i&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;b&gt;said Rep. Cuellar.&lt;/b&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;i&gt;“In many of these areas, the nearest alternative may be miles away, and when a hospital is forced to scale back services or risks closure, families feel the impact immediately. Our bill provides rural hospitals with the stability they need to keep essential health care services accessible for our communities. It also strengthens technical assistance efforts to help these facilities improve operations and long‑term financial stability. I’m proud to co‑lead this bipartisan effort to support the providers who keep rural Texas strong, healthy, and cared for.”&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“Rural America continues to face challenges when it comes to delivering health care services,”&lt;/i&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;b&gt;Rep. Thompson said&lt;/b&gt;. &lt;i&gt;“By expanding and providing increased flexibility for at-risk rural hospitals, we can help ensure our communities continue to have robust access to world-class care.”&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“For Hawaiʻi’s neighbor islands, rural hospitals are lifelines, but outdated federal rules are keeping critical resources and designations out of reach,” &lt;b&gt;said Rep. Tokuda.&lt;/b&gt; “Current Critical Access Hospital criteria disqualify facilities serving some of our most isolated and high-need populations. This bill stabilizes rural hospitals so they can keep their doors open and continue delivering critical access care to the communities that depend on them. We’re ensuring rural hospitals have the support and flexibility to provide high-quality care close to home, where patients belong.”&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;u&gt;Background&lt;/u&gt;&lt;/b&gt;:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;u&gt;CAH Designation&lt;/u&gt;:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;Allows hospitals to receive cost-based Medicare reimbursement, which improves financial viability for small, isolated facilities.&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;Prevents closures to ensure rural communities can access to emergency and acute care, while allowing operational flexibility, such as operating swing beds, to meet community needs.&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;Makes hospitals eligible to receive funding through their respective state's Rural Health Transformation Program allotment.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;u&gt;The Sustaining Rural Healthcare Act&lt;/u&gt;:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;This bill intends to provide financial relief to our rural hospitals and increase access to health care for patients in rural communities by:&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul style="list-style-type: disc;"&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;Ensuring continued Critical Access Hospital designation for those already designated&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;Allowing the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) discretionary authority to designate facilities as In Character Critical&amp;nbsp;Access&amp;nbsp;Hospitals&amp;nbsp;for up to 3 years if they meet certain criteria, including:
    &lt;ul style="list-style-type: circle;"&gt;
        &lt;li&gt;Facilities in a designated rural area;&lt;/li&gt;
        &lt;li&gt;Facilities facing healthcare staffing shortages;&lt;/li&gt;
        &lt;li&gt;Facilities serving a medically underserved population;&lt;/li&gt;
        &lt;li&gt;Facilities providing inpatient and outpatient services to a high proportion of Medicare beneficiaries; and&lt;/li&gt;
        &lt;li&gt;Facilities facing significant risk of partial or full closure of services.&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;/ul&gt;
    &lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;Directing HHS to issue guidance on eligibility standards, documentation requirements, and renewal conditions&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;Directing HHS to establish monitoring and reporting requirements for “In Character” CAH facilities to ensure performance, patient access, and financial stability improvements during the in-character designation&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;Directing HHS to collaborate with U.S. Department of Agriculture in making available technical assistance free of charge to the in-character designated facilities to help strengthen financial and operational status during the designation period&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1490</link>
      <guid>http://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1490</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Alford Video Response to President Trump’s State of the Union Address</title>
      <description>Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) issued the following video statement in response to President Donald J. Trump’s State of the Union Address before a Joint Session of Congress.
&lt;iframe width="573" height="322" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ERV8O2pivw0" title="Congressman Mark Alford Reacts to President Trump's State of the Union Speech" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin"&gt;&lt;/iframe&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: left;"&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Watch the full video &lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERV8O2pivw0"&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;here&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt; or by clicking the image above.&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;</description>
      <link>http://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1486</link>
      <guid>http://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1486</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Alford Announces More Than $13.3 Million in Federal Transportation Grant Funding for KCATA During Preparation for the 2026 World Cup</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) announced a federal grant award of $13,333,000 for the Kansas City Area Transit Authority (KCATA). This grant will support KCATA in buying and rehabilitating buses, vans, and related equipment, and building and rehabilitating bus facilities.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Specifically, this funding will help ensure the Kansas City Metro Region is represented as the best the heartland has to offer as we host the upcoming World Cup matches this summer.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“I’m thrilled to announce more than $13.3 million in funding for KCATA to support the transportation needs of the Kansas City Metro Region as we prepare to host the 2026 World Cup,” &lt;/i&gt;&lt;b&gt;said Congressman Alford. &lt;/b&gt;&lt;i&gt;“As the only member of the House Appropriations Committee from Missouri or Kansas, we are proud to have played a critical role in securing this funding through our consistent advocacy. This funding will not only support Kansas City, but it will also help Fourth District communities in Jackson and Cass Counties prepare for this global event. We’ll continue to ensure the folks from all over the world who visit the Kansas City area this summer will experience the very best the Show Me State has to offer.”&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Background:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;Congressman Alford submitted a language request in the FY26 government funding process in support of KCATA’s need for additional transportation funding associated with hosting the World Cup. This award mirrors the request he submitted.&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;As the only Missourian or Kansan on the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Alford repeatedly advocated for this funding with House and Senate leadership, as well as the bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Committee.&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;His efforts culminated in this grant award of more than $13.3 million for the KCATA.&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;This funding will help ensure Kansas City is represented as the best the heartland has to offer as we host the upcoming world cup matches this summer.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1485</link>
      <guid>http://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1485</guid>
      <pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Alford Secures $5.2 Million Owed to Nevada Regional Medical Center by the IRS</title>
      <description>&lt;p&gt;Today, Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) announced that his office secured $5,229,789.12 owed to Nevada Regional Medical Center (NRMC) by the IRS. This is part of Rep. Alford’s multi-prong approach to supporting rural hospitals in the Fourth District and ensuring communities have adequate access to health care.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“We’re proud to have secured more than $5.2 million that was owed to Nevada Regional Medical Center by the IRS,” &lt;/i&gt;&lt;b&gt;said Congressman Alford. &lt;/b&gt;&lt;i&gt;“Having visited almost all of the rural hospitals in the Fourth District, I know first-hand the positive impact they have on our communities. In many instances, these hospitals are the only place families can turn to when they need care. From the landmark Rural Health Transformation Fund to our work on the Appropriations Committee to casework, it’s our priority to ensure Missouri’s rural hospitals can not only survive but can thrive.”&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;i&gt;“On behalf of Nevada Regional Medical Center and the citizens of Vernon County, we thank Congressman Alford and his staff for their time and efforts in assisting NRMC to obtain funds from the Employee Retention Tax Credit,”&lt;/i&gt; &lt;b&gt;said NRMC CEO Jason McCormick. &lt;/b&gt;&lt;i&gt;“Our hospital struggled financially post COVID with higher costs and lower patient volumes. These critical funds will be used to pay off some of our debts and provide necessary liquidity. For the first time in three years, we will have enough money to put a payroll in reserve. These funds will help us keep the doors open and move the organization in a viable direction. Congressman Alford clearly understands that rural hospitals like NRMC play a crucial role in local communities. With his help, we are no longer just treading water, we are making our way to the shore.”&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Background:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;Nevada Regional Medical Center was owed more than $5.2 million dollars by the IRS for the COVID-era Employee Retention Tax Credits (ERC) from the first and second quarters of 2021.&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;For more than four years, the federal government refused to pay NRMC they money it was owed for the tax credits, despite the hospital being fully compliant with all associated requirements.&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;The hospital first contacted the office of Rep. Alford in September of 2025 regarding this issue. Rep. Alford’s team immediately sprang into action to assist.&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;After waiting more than four years for the disbursement of these tax credits, Congressman Alford’s team was able to resolve the issue in less than five months.&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;In total, Congressman Alford secured $5,229,789.12 for Nevada Regional Medical Center, which includes ERC payments for the first and second quarters of tax year 2021 as well as interest accrued.&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;These payments will provide the hospital with the financial cushion to continue serving Nevada and the surrounding communities for years to come.&lt;/li&gt;
    &lt;li&gt;Rep. Alford’s team has now secured more than $15 million owed to Fourth District constituents from the federal government in just over three years in office.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Constituents needing assistance with federal agencies can contact Congressman Alford’s Raymore office at (816) 441-6318 or by visiting our website &lt;b&gt;&lt;a href="https://alford.house.gov/services/help-with-a-federal-agency.htm"&gt;here&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/b&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p style="text-align: center;"&gt;###&lt;/p&gt;</description>
      <link>http://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1484</link>
      <guid>http://alford.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1484</guid>
      <pubDate>Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Agriculture Listening Session on The Farm Bill</title>
      <description>&lt;img alt="" src="https://alfordforms.house.gov/UploadedPhotos/MediumResolution/11853c6b-829f-475d-8fa6-2f805964941e.jpg" /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Event Date&lt;/strong&gt;
Monday, August 14, 2023 – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;strong&gt;Address&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/strong&gt;2503 W 16th St
&amp;nbsp;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sedalia,&amp;nbsp;MO&amp;nbsp;65301
&lt;br /&gt;
United States
&lt;div translate="no"&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I'm excited to share with y’all that I’m hosting an Agriculture Listening Session on the Farm Bill on August 14 at the Missouri State Fair. We’re thrilled to have Governor Mike Parson and Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson join us.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Agriculture is the backbone of our Missouri economy, and I know that the perspectives of our hard-working farmers and ranchers are crucial to shaping effective farm bill policies.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I hope to see you all there!&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please find all details in the graphic and mark your calendars!&lt;/div&gt;</description>
      <link>http://alford.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=156</link>
      <guid>http://alford.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=156</guid>
      <pubDate>Mon, 14 Aug 2023 14:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
    </item>
  </channel>
</rss>