May 16, 2018

Dear Friend,

The economy is booming and we know why. We have delivered pro-growth policies that roll back regulations and cut taxes for Mississippians and almost all Americans. Consumer confidence is higher than we have seen in 18 years and the U.S. unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in 20 years.

Small business operators called for regulatory certainty and we listened to them. Through my role on the House Small Business Committee, I will continue to advocate for policies that ensure our small businesses are protected and are able to grow and create more jobs. Last week, the House passed seven key small business bills. The reforms in these bills are meaningful and will allow safeguards to be put in place so that small business owners have the resources to be prosperous and make sure consumer information is protected.

Below are the bills that were passed by the House:

H.R. 3170 - Small Business Development Center Cyber Training Act - Sponsored by Rep. Steve Chabot
H.R. 4743 - Small Business 7(a) Lending Oversight Reform Act - Sponsored by Rep. Steve Chabot
H.R. 4754 - Change Order Transparency for Federal Contractors Act - Sponsored by Rep. Don Bacon
H.R. 1680 - Women's Business Centers Improvement Act - Sponsored by Rep. Steve Knight
H.R. 1702 - Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act - Sponsored by Rep. Dwight Evans
H.R. 4111 - Spurring Business in Communities Act - Sponsored by Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers
H.R. 5236 - Main Street Employee Ownership Act - Sponsored by Rep. Nydia Velazquez

I appreciated the opportunity to discuss oversight of the Small Business Administration's 7(a) Loan Program on the House floor last week. Please watch the video to learn more.

committee action

Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act

Last week, the House Armed Services Committee passed the Fiscal Year 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation includes authorizations to restore readiness, provide our service members a significant pay raise and streamline the defense decision-making process. The bill includes increased funding levels aimed at reversing the decline in military readiness that were brought about by sequestration. The NDAA now awaits action on the House floor.

honoring a Mississippi soldier

Recently, our office had the honor to present Jody Dawson with his father's awards he earned while serving as a soldier in World War II. Ray Dawson, a native of Tishomingo, answered the call to serve our nation on May 30, 1945. Mr. Dawson served in the Philippines and later as a member of the U.S. occupying forces in Japan. He returned to Mississippi in 1946.

Jody Dawson, Mr. Dawson's son, asked for assistance from our team to receive a record of his father's service. He also hoped to receive the medals Mr. Dawson earned while serving in the U.S. Army. We do not guarantee that everyone with a similar request can achieve this outcome, however our team will work hard to deliver results. Mike Patterson, our Tupelo District Office manager and veterans services coordinator, is available to assist you. Please contact Mike at (662) 841-8808. You can also send Mike an e-mail at Michael.Patterson@mail.house.gov.

how can we assist you?

It is important to our team to make you feel welcome when you call or visit our DC office. We are eager to help you with the services that you need.

Sam Hickman is the first member of our team you will meet when you come to the office. Sam is our staff assistant. He can take you on a Capitol tour, help with a flag request and arrange for a signed photo to make sure your visit is memorable. Sam, a native of Picayune, enjoys working with our visitors who request assistance from our team. "I enjoy meeting new people and being a part of the team," Sam said. "You could say that I have always been part of a team because I have ten brothers!"

Please let us know how we can help. Our team is ready to assist you.

military academy appointment

It is an honor to announce the selection of South Sanders to attend college at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. South, the son of Keith Sanders and Christy Weir, is one of the outstanding high school students from the First District that I nominated to attend college at one of America's prestigious military academies.

South, a Tupelo High School senior, has distinguished himself academically. Additionally, South has been actively involved in a number of organizations including the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. South has excelled as a member of the Tupelo High School Baseball Team. He will also play baseball for the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcons.

For more information about attending one of the U.S. Armed Forces academies, please contact our military academy liaison Melinda Whited at (662) 687-1525.

a week in pictures

For more photos from a week in pictures, please visit my Facebook page.

Billy Grimes, Michael, and Alisha Miller
from New Albany on a Capitol tour

Mississippi Council of Emergency Nurses
Association representatives Jennifer
Williams-Cook (Nettleton), Jennifer
Heindl (Senatobia), and Shelly Logan
(Ocean Springs) with our team member,
Brittany Burnham

Daniel, Susan, Oscar, and Jacob
Stearns from Oxford

Discussing America's national defense
readiness at the 2018 Gulfport Chamber
of Commerce Military Affairs Breakfast

2018 Gulfport Chamber of Commerce Military
Affairs Breakfast participants
Raigen Stokes, Brandon Payne,
and Carlos Bell

Bayou View Middle School student
Layton Bradley from Gulfport

For more photos from a week in pictures, please visit my Facebook page.

STAY IN TOUCH

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.

Thanks for reading,

Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01)
Member of Congress