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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Smith (8th District of Missouri)

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Jason Smith (Mo.) released the following statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed Tulsi Gabbard, an Army Reserve veteran and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, as the Director of National Intelligence:

“I congratulate my good friend and former colleague, Tulsi Gabbard, on her confirmation as the next U.S. Director of National Intelligence. Tulsi has devoted her life to serving her country. Whether in the military, serving multiple deployments in the Middle East and Africa, or as a public servant in local, state, and federal elected office, Tulsi exemplifies honor and a love of country to which all public servants should aspire. As our next Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi will bring a fresh perspective to the Intelligence Community that prioritizes the safety and wellbeing of the American people and supports President Trump’s mission of keeping the homeland safe.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Smith (8th District of Missouri)

WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (Mo.) issued the following statement after President Trump signed an executive order directing his administration to examine the use of reciprocal tariffs on imports from any country that currently applies tariffs or other unfair barriers on similar exports from the United States:

“President Trump understands that American workers and manufacturers can outcompete those of any other nation, but for far too long they have been held back by a lack of reciprocity because other countries impose much higher tariffs and other barriers than the United States imposes on imports. We must look at every avenue – including reciprocity – to ensure that U.S. interests are treated fairly. This new initiative by the Trump Administration follows a steady stream of bold actions to secure commitments from key trading partners to help safeguard our communities, halt China’s attempts to skirt U.S. tariffs, and initiate a wholesale review of America’s trade policies to thwart unfair practices by other nations and bring in additional revenues to our country. President Trump and congressional Republicans will continue working tirelessly to restore American leadership by standing up for working families, farmers, and small businesses here at home and in markets around the world.”

READ: Trump Administration Closes the Door on China Skirting U.S. Tariffs Through De Minimis Shipments

READ: Smith: President Trump’s Tariffs Show He Is Keeping His Promise to Protect America’s Communities

READ: Smith Applauds President Trump’s Early Action to Protect American Workers and Businesses from Unfair Trade Practices

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Smith (8th District of Missouri)

WASHINGTON – House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (Mo.) released the following statement after President Trump signed an executive order directing the Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services to implement and enforce President Trump’s health care price transparency regulations:

“Over the last four years, soaring health care costs driven by out-of-control inflation have put a heavy strain on American families. President Trump understands that one of the ways we can bring down costs is by strengthening the right of patients to know the actual price they will pay before they step foot in a doctor’s office, fill a prescription, or schedule a procedure. Last Congress, the Ways and Means Committee held hearings to examine the ways price transparency can lower costs and enhance care quality for patients. Unfortunately, the Biden administration failed to hold hospitals and health insurers accountable, forcing Congress to take matters into our own hands and advance legislation to improve health care transparency for patients. This executive order is a welcome step to building on President Trump’s price transparency rule from his first term and House Republican efforts from last Congress. By increasing transparency and accountability, we can drive down costs and put patients back in control of their health care.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Smith (8th District of Missouri)

WASHINGTON – America’s seniors are getting the Social Security benefits they are owed quickly thanks to efforts by the Trump administration and the Ways and Means Committee to implement the Social Security Fairness Act. Less than four months after Congress repealed the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), the Trump administration will begin paying Social Security beneficiaries who are owed retroactive payments as soon as March, and changes to monthly benefits will begin as soon as April, despite previous claims by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that implementation could take up to one year.

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (Mo.) issued the following statement:

“The Trump administration is wasting no time in ensuring America’s seniors receive the Social Security benefits they are owed. The Social Security Administration’s announcement that it will be expediting the delivery of retroactive payments and monthly benefit increases shows the agency is being responsive to the request of our Committee to act on the repeal of the WEP and GPO without delay. Not letting the bureaucracy get in the way of benefits owed to America’s seniors is the right course of action. It will bring much needed relief to those individuals who were harmed by a flawed system.”

This action follows a letter sent by Smith and Social Security Subcommittee Chairman Ron Estes (Kan.) to then Acting SSA Commissioner Carolyn Colvin requesting that the agency provide information and clear guidance to Congress and the American people on how the agency planned to implement the repeal of the WEP and GPO in a quick and efficient manner.

Background:

• The Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) was signed into law on January 5, 2025 – repealing the WEP and GPO, effective December 2023.
• The WEP and GPO were enacted in 1983 and primarily affected state and local government employees, like teachers, police officers, and firefighters, and federal government employees who received a pension based on earnings that are exempt from Social Security payroll taxes.
  • The WEP reduced the benefits of certain beneficiaries who are entitled to both Social Security benefits and pension benefits from employment not covered by Social Security.
  • The GPO reduced the benefits of certain spouses and survivors who are also receiving pension benefits from employment not covered by Social Security.

READ: Smith, Estes Demand the Social Security Administration’s Plan to Ensure Timely Relief in Implementing Repeal of the WEP and GPO

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Smith (8th District of Missouri)

Like so many Americans, I’ve been alarmed by the rise in antisemitism we’ve seen ever since Hamas’ October 7 terror attack against Israel. That’s especially true when it comes to what’s been going on at so many colleges, where radical pro-Hamas protestors have attacked Jewish students, caused colleges to cancel classes, set up tent cities on campus, and destroyed public property. In far too many cases, colleges stood idly by and refused to punish those who are causing Jewish students to live in fear every time they walk to class, go to the cafeteria, or head to the library. Fortunately, thanks to President Donald Trump, these colleges and pro-Hamas students are finally being held accountable.

Shortly after taking office, President Trump signed an executive order that takes unprecedented steps to combat the unacceptable explosion of antisemitism on campus. He called on federal agencies to investigate colleges that turned a blind eye to these hate-filled rallies and refused to take necessary actions to protect Jewish students. In his executive order, President Trump also stated, “To all the resident aliens who joined in the pro-jihadist protests, we put you on notice: come 2025, we will find you, and we will deport you. I will also quickly cancel the student visas of all Hamas sympathizers on college campuses, which have been infested with radicalism like never before.”

On March 10, President Donald Trump announced that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents apprehended anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil – and warned that other terrorist sympathizers would meet a similar fate. Khalil, a Palestinian raised in Syria, served as a senior leader for the Columbia University Apartheid Divest student organization, which has called for the “total eradication of Western civilization” and played a key role in the hate-filled rallies on Columbia’s campus that caused multiple injuries, significant property damage, and harassment of Jewish students. I’m glad that the Trump administration is holding accountable individuals who sympathize with terror groups and pose a threat to our national security.

Recently, the Trump administration announced that it will rescind more than $400 million in federal grants to Columbia University due to the school’s failure to address antisemitism on campus. In addition, his administration is conducting a wide-ranging review of more than $5 billion in federal grant funding that goes to Columbia. But that’s not all: The Department of Education put 60 universities on notice that there will be significant consequences if they continue to allow discrimination and harassment against Jewish students to run rampant on their campuses, which would directly violate the Civil Rights Act.

As Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over the tax code, I’ve been leading Congress’s investigation into the rise in antisemitism on the campuses of tax-exempt universities. The significant benefits these universities receive from the American taxpayer are not a blank check. By failing to ensure a safe learning environment – including protecting Jewish students from harassment and violence – they are putting their taxpayer benefits and federal grants at risk.

It is my hope that under President Trump, Jewish students will finally be able to step foot on campus without having to fear for their safety. I’m incredibly grateful that he’s also making it clear that colleges will be held accountable if they fail to protect their students. In Washington, I will continue working with him to accomplish our shared goal of rooting out the antisemitism that’s plaguing our great nation.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Bacon Named One of the Top Effective Legislators

Omaha, Nebr. –  Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) was named one of the top effective legislators for the 118^th Congress, by the Center for EffectiveLawmaking (CEL). The report, linked here, lists the top ten for each party and how they arrived at their conclusions.

CEL said: “Our analysis found that Representative Bacon ranked as one of the most effective Republican House Members in the last Congress. In addition, he ranked as the most effective Representative in terms of having their sponsored standalone bills substantially incorporated into the laws of other members of Congress. We congratulate the Representative for his hard work and setting an example for promoting the importance of effective lawmaking.”

“This report shows we can work on a bipartisan level to get meaningful legislation passed, even if we don’t follow the traditional method of introducing stand-alone bills,” said Bacon. “My intent is to get good legislation passed and sometimes you give up the grandeur of your name on a bill to get something meaningful done.”

Bacon was ranked second in the Republican Party for effectiveness, scoring high in defense, Native Americans, banking and commerce, and law, crime and family issue areas. https://thelawmakers.org/find-representatives

The Center for Effective Lawmaking seeks to advance the generation, communication, and use of new knowledge about the effectiveness of individual lawmakers and U.S. legislative institutions. We envision American legislatures comprised of effective lawmakers, strong institutional capacity, and the incentive structure needed to address America’s greatest public policy challenges. https://thelawmakers.org/

This rating corresponds to GovTrack that said Don Bacon was most successful legislator in Congress by passing the most bills and getting them signed into law. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Bacon and Cuellar Introduce Bipartisan Law Enforcement Officers Safety Reform Act (LEOSA) 

Offers Real Solutions to Terrorism and Mass Shootings

Washington – Recently, Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE-02) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) introduced H.R.2243, The Law Enforcement Officers Safety Reform Act (LEOSA). The bipartisan LEOSA Reform Act will improve public safety by allowing qualified law enforcement officers who have committed themselves to our communities the opportunity to continue doing so by extending their concealed carry privileges. The legislation removes existing prohibitions and will allow trained professionals to respond quickly to emergencies, should they happen to be in public places such as shopping malls, school zones, mass transit, etc. During the 118th Congress, the LEOSA Reform Act was passed by the House of Representatives in a 221-185 vote. 

“The bipartisan LEOSA Reform Act offers real solutions to address threats such as terrorism and mass shootings by ensuring that our retired and off-duty law enforcement officers can exercise their right to concealed carry – no matter where they live or visit,” said Rep. Bacon. “These measured changes will make existing law stronger and more workable for those who seek its benefits while maintaining the rigorous standards that currently apply. I want to thank Rep. Henry Cuellar for his support of this important legislation.”

“Many of our retired law enforcement officers are ready to continue serving our community but are unable to due to current law,” said Rep. Cuellar. “This bipartisan legislation will fix the issues that our nation’s off-duty officers and retired cops face while concealed carrying. I remain steadfast in my support for the men and woman who put their lives on the line every day to protect our homes, neighborhoods, businesses and communities.”

Locally, the sheriffs of the three counties for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District and other law enforcement agencies support the legislation: Douglas County Sheriff Aaron Hanson, Sarpy County Sheriff Greg London, Saunders County Sheriff Chris Lichtenberg, Omaha Police Association President Patrick Dempsey, and Nebraska State FOP President Anthony Connor.

The bill also was endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), The Air Marshal Association, the FBI Agents Association (FBIAA), International Union of Police Associations, Major Cities Chiefs Association, National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies, Major County Sheriffs of America, National Narcotics Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, and Sergeants Benevolent Association NYPD.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Washington, DC — Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) invites high school students across Nebraska’s Third District to submit their artwork for the 2025 Congressional Art Competition by Monday, April 7th. 

Smith is working with the Nebraska Art Teachers Association to coordinate the competition. Official rules, guidelines, and submission forms are available on Congressman Smith’s website: adriansmith.house.gov/services/art-competition.

First-place artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol, alongside winning entries from across the country, and Smith will display the runners-up in his Washington, D.C., and Third District offices. 

The Congressional Institute annually sponsors the Congressional Art Competition for high school students from all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. 

For additional information, please contact Smith’s Grand Island office at (308) 384-3900. 
 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Washington, DC — Today, Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement after the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) submitted its 2025 National Trade Estimate (NTE) to Congress. The NTE is an annual report detailing foreign trade barriers faced by U.S. exporters and USTR’s efforts to reduce those barriers. 

“This annual report is a critical tool to identify tariff and non-tariff barriers to American products in the global marketplace, clearly indicating where we need increased engagement with our partners. Whether it related to market access for agriculture, manufacturing, intellectual property, digital regulations, or investor protections, the previous administration did next to nothing to address such unfair trade practices. By contrast, the current administration is more than willing to engage with our partners on trade. As they work to level the playing field, I urge President Trump and Ambassador Greer to promote market access for our hardworking producers through comprehensive, enforceable trade agreements which elevate certainty in the marketplace and rules-based economic security.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nydia M Velázquez (D-NY)

Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) led a group of 33 House Democrats in pressing Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for answers after the sudden shutdown of five regional Head Start Offices. The closures come on the heels of a major agency reorganization and reduction in force that led to 10,000 layoffs on Monday.
 
In the letter, the lawmakers raise concerns about the lack of warning or transition plan and the potential impact on children and families who rely on the program.
 
“The abrupt closures—without a clearly communicated transition plan—puts services and education for our nation’s most vulnerable children and families at risk,” the lawmakers wrote.
 
Head Start is a federal program that provides early childhood education, health care, and family services at no cost to low-income children across the country.
 
The letter stresses the essential role regional offices play in helping local Head Start centers access federal support and navigate complex regulations and that the closures will jeopardize vital services.
 
“Removing these support structures without an alternative plan or clear communication on the impact jeopardizes the reliability and quality of services that so many families depend on,” the lawmakers continued.
 
The group is asking Secretary Kennedy to respond by April 7 with answers to the following:
 

1. What criteria were used to decide which regional offices to close?
2. When were staff informed that their offices would be shutting down?
3. What is the Department’s plan to support Head Start providers in the wake of these closures, and how will that be communicated to states and local communities?

 
“All children deserve quality education and services to support their early development during the most crucial years of childhood,” the lawmakers wrote. “An investment in Head Start and the regional offices that support them should remain a top priority.”
 
For a full copy of the letter, click here.
 

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