March 3, 2017
Dear Friend,
In his first address to Congress, President Trump shared his blueprint for getting our economy back on track and reenergizing the American dream. I am pleased to see that Congress is wasting no time focusing on an aggressive agenda that includes protecting and supporting our military, and reducing government regulations, which are stagnating job growth. At the same time, we are working to put healthcare policies in place that put people back in charge of their own healthcare and protect our most vulnerable citizens.
In the words of President Trump, "The time for small thinking is over. The time for trivial fights is behind us. We just need the courage to share the dreams that fill our hearts, the bravery to express the hopes that stir our souls, and the confidence to turn those hopes and those dreams into action."
I was honored to join a congressional delegation last week, including Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss), to the Winter Meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Parliamentary Assembly in Vienna. This fact-finding mission to Israel, Italy, Jordan, and Austria brought us face-to-face with troops on the ground as well as senior military leaders who are allies of the United States. These types of conversations are critical to ensure we understand the threats that are facing our national security and continue the cooperation necessary to keep our country safe.
President Trump continues taking action to scale back federal government overreach. This week, the President ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers to begin a formal review of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. This rule has made it impossible for farmers to carry out basic farming practices. What the EPA perceived as a violation would often lead to penalties, litigation, and financial ruin. I am eager to work with EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt in the effort to return the decision-making power back to our farmers who know best how to manage their own land.
ACTIONS IN THE HOUSE
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Reining in Executive Overreach
Congress has made significant progress rolling back unnecessary regulations. This week, I was proud to support legislation that will expedite this process on a number of fronts.
H.R. 998, Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome (SCRUB) Act of 2017, passed by a vote of 240-185. This legislation establishes a five-year, bipartisan commission that will identify and get rid of outdated, burdensome, and costly rules.
H.R. 1004, the Regulatory Integrity Act, passed by a vote of 246-176. Agencies are already required to seek input from the public about proposed rules, but in the past, agencies often demonstrated this input as a formality that was not always considered. This legislation requires greater transparency in the rule making process. It creates a database which will allow the public to monitor a rule's progress. It also prevents agencies from soliciting support from the public for a proposed rule.
Recognizing the 75th Anniversary of the United States Navy Seabees
In March, 1942, Navy Construction Battalion personnel were officially named Seabees by the U.S. Navy Department. Their mission to build and maintain critical military infrastructure for the Navy and Marine Corps, while defending our nation, continues to this day. It is an honor to recognize their 75th anniversary on March 5th with a resolution I introduced in the House.
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hometown news
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Congratulations to Guntown Middle School teacher Connie Gusmus who will soon be studying the universe as a new participant in NASA's Airborne Astronomy Ambassadors program. On Sunday, she and other educators will board a 747 that has been outfitted with a high-powered infrared telescope. Connie applied for a seat on NASA's Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy or SOFIA, and was accepted along with Itawamba Community College instructor Bob Swanson.
"I am excited to be able to share this experience with my students," Connie said. "It's a lesson that is purely math, science, technology, and engineering combined."
Connie plans to take pictures and videos during the night flights and share them with her students.
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a week in pictures
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For more photos from a week in pictures, please visit my Facebook page.
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American Legion Department of Mississippi
Delegation members Robert Goza, Steve Sweet,
Robert Endt, and Murry Toney
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Ole Miss Student Association representatives
Hurston Reed, Austin Powell, Kate Aspinwall,
Laura Anne Taylor, and Miller Richmond |
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Association of Nurse Practitioners representatives
Linda Watkins, Johnnie Wijewardane, and Mary Smith |
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Mississippi School for the Deaf representatives
Dr. Sandra Edwards and Dr. Leigh Poole Warren |
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National Guard Association of the United
States President Brig. Gen. J. Roy Robinson |
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American Farm Bureau Federation
Advocacy Conference attendees |
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VFW National Delegation Committee members
Hugh Long from Yazoo City
and Phil Lovell from Columbus |
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Mississippi National Guardsmen Michael Hollings,
Jim Gaughan, Dean Adkins, Scotty Vandergriff
and Brad Holloway |
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CARA Family Day attendees Alexis Malone,
Kristina White, and Carol Lemay |
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| Naomi Taylor with Defend our Future |
For more photos from a week in pictures, please visit my Facebook page.
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STAY IN TOUCH
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Let me know if there is anything my office can do to assist you. You can keep up with the latest news by signing up for my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Proudly serving the people of Mississippi,
Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01)
Member of Congress
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