January 13, 2017

Dear Friend,

It is an honor to be able to serve on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Small Business Committee for the 115th Congress. These committee assignments are reflective of the important contributions that the people of the First District and the state of Mississippi make on multiple fronts.

I am proud to represent your interests in Washington.

ACTIONS IN THE HOUSE

2017 Budget Resolution

It's been six years since the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was passed into law. It has failed to live up to the promises made by the administration. Mississippians, along with all Americans, have faced higher premiums and deductibles and fewer doctors, and many small employers can no longer afford to offer health coverage at all. The House passed, and I proudly supported, the 2017 Budget Resolution. This resolution clears the way for repealing the healthcare law and replacing it with policies that will result in affordable, patient-centered care.

Provide a Legal Exception for General Mattis to Serve as Secretary of Defense

Our men and women serving in the military have sacrificed so much for our nation. It is important that they have a leader beginning on the day that President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. The president wants to appoint General James Mattis as Secretary of Defense, but current law does not allow such appointments to be made for a military officer who served within the last seven years. The House passed, and I supported, S. 84, which ensures our military will have a leader on the day the president is sworn in. General Mattis is a respected leader and exceedingly qualified for this position.

the alliance

In addition to agriculture, manufacturing is a main driver of our economy. We are fortunate in the First District to have a broad base of manufacturers eager to invest in our workforce and to provide jobs that improve the quality of life. We are also fortunate to have economic development leaders who know how to promote what our hard-working Mississippians have to offer manufacturers.

Clayton Stanley is the new president of The Alliance in Corinth. He says Corinth and Alcorn County are blessed to have a great economic development base which includes world-class industries like Kimberly-Clark, Caterpillar and KeyTronicEMS. He plans to aggressively market several industrial sites in the effort to attract more industries to this area located in the northern part of the First District. "We want to promote the growth of existing industry," Clayton said. "It's just as important as recruiting new manufacturers to Corinth and Alcorn County."

Clayton says their skilled workforce has also been a positive for industry recruitment efforts. He credits the strong relationship they have with Northeast Mississippi Community College which has an extension in Corinth. Students have access to workforce training programs that prepare them for jobs at local manufacturers.

furniture "certified" academy

Governor Phil Bryant was in Tupelo this week to announce the inception of the Furniture "Certified" Academy, a training program designed to increase the pool of qualified applicants. The 28-hour course to be offered at Northeast Mississippi and Itawamba Community Colleges will give graduates the opportunity to work for higher base pay when they get a job with the five participating furniture manufacturers.

We appreciate the efforts of all who made the academy possible: H.M. Richards, Homestretch, Kevin Charles Furniture, Max Homes, Southern Motion, the Franklin Furniture Institute of Mississippi State University, Northeast Mississippi Community College, Itawamba Community College, The Community Development Foundation, and Three Rivers Planning and Development District.

how can we assist you?

Thomas Mills

It is important for our team to respond to your concerns and to make sure you receive a quick response. If you have a request, we are here to help in the First District and in Washington, D.C.

Our Legislative Correspondent Thomas Mills is the first person to read your letters and e-mails. It is important to him and to all of our team members to find answers to your questions whether it is about legislation, a meeting request or tours we offer through our office.

Thomas, a Millsaps College graduate, was eager to live in Washington, D.C. and to begin what he hopes will be a career in politics. The New Albany native says it has long been his plan to witness national politics up close and personal. "I love being able to work for Congressman Kelly," Thomas said. "I enjoy the sights and sounds of the Capitol."

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

inauguration ticket holders

President-elect Donald J. Trump will take the oath of office and become the nation's 45th United States President on January 20th. Our office was able to offer tickets to the swearing in ceremony. We had requests from constituents throughout the First District.

Kevin and Hollie Booker, Tishomingo County residents, decided to plan a trip to Washington, D.C. in the early morning hours after President-elect Donald J. Trump was declared the winner. They contacted our office and requested tickets. Like so many others, they eagerly waited to see if they would get to attend. Hollie says they are so excited to be a part of the festivities. "It was such a historic election. President-elect Trump is like any other person with strengths and weaknesses, but he does represent change," Hollie said. "He is looking out for small town, USA. He wants to secure the borders and he also cares about our law enforcement."

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 and Twitter.

Thanks for reading,

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