March 12, 2018

Dear Friend,

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Their investments create jobs, which are essential to improving the quality of life for Mississippians and all Americans. In order to grow and create more jobs, small businesses need regulatory certainty. Last week, the House Small Business Committee listened to feedback from small businesses during a hearing titled, "Regulatory Reform and Rollback: The Effects on Small Businesses." As your representative, I will continue to advocate for policies that are good for the economy and jobs. To watch an excerpt from the hearing, please click on the link.

ACTIONS IN THE HOUSE

Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment (SENSE) Act

Access to reliable and affordable energy is important for consumers and for the economy. One of those energy sources which is used to generate electricity is coal refuse, a product of above ground waste from coal mining. Coal refuse can be safely recycled and used to generate electricity. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules require refuse-to-energy facilities to meet emissions limits that make it difficult, if not impossible to comply.  If companies cannot comply, and are forced to shut down, more than 5,000 direct and indirect jobs could be lost and communities could lose electricity. The House passed, with my support, H.R. 1119, the Satisfying Energy Needs and Saving the Environment (SENSE) Act. This legislation would enable the operator of a coal-to-fuel facility to comply with more reasonable emissions standards, while maintaining power to businesses and communities served.

Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns (BRICK) Act

Federal government overreach is also a concern for America's brick making industry. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) increased regulatory requirements for brick industry emissions, making it difficult to comply by the December 2018 deadline. Compliance costs for a facility with two kilns is estimated to be $4.4 million, and operators that cannot comply may be forced to close. Thousands of hardworking Americans could lose their jobs. The industry is challenging the rule in federal court. While the proposed rule makes its way through the legal process, the House passed, with my support, H.R. 1917, the Blocking Regulatory Interference from Closing Kilns (BRICK) Act.

AIPAC

Last week, I was honored to take part in a panel discussion at the 2018 American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) Policy Conference in DC, the largest gathering of America's pro-Israel community. My colleagues and I discussed how important it is to maintain America's strong ties with our most important ally in the Middle East.

We discussed our Congressional fact-finding mission to Israel last summer, where we had the opportunity to meet with government leaders, the Ministry of Defense, and soldiers. Additionally, we closely examined Israel's defense readiness capabilities. If there is a threat to our nation or theirs, we must have a spirit of cooperation to protect ourselves.

Senator Thad Cochran

Last week, Senator Thad Cochran announced his retirement from the Senate effective April 1. Senator Cochran has been a dedicated and influential public servant through his time in the United States Navy, the House of Representatives, the Senate, and through his current role as the Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him. He has made a lasting impact on behalf of all Mississippians and his leadership will be greatly missed. I thank him for all that he has done for our great state and this great nation. I wish him all the best in retirement.

WWii veteran joseph r. johnson

There are so many brave Mississippians who have answered the call to serve our nation in times of war and peace. One of those service members is Joseph R. Johnson, a veteran of World War II. Mr. Johnson enlisted in the U.S. Army when he was 17, following two older brothers into service. Mr. Johnson was deployed with the fifth wave of troops under General George S. Patton's Third Army. In June 1944, he was among the many brave American service members who fought at Omaha Beach, Normandy.

His unit moved on to Germany, where they were fired on by German troops. He leg was injured when a German shell exploded close to where he was positioned. Despite his injury, Mr. Johnson refused to leave his unit and stayed in the fight with assistance from a medic. Gwen Lollar, Mr. Johnson's daughter, said her dad returned to combat, walking with fellow soldiers holding onto each arm.

Mr. Johnson said part of his duties were to serve as a driver for General Patton's assistants. "He would always tell us what a good job we were doing and how well we did in the war," Mr. Johnson said. "He was always so appreciative of us and our bravery."

Mr. Johnson is a proud member of the American Legion in Columbus. His bravery in battle and true patriotism will always be remembered. We look forward to hearing more stories from our veterans and their families. If you would like to nominate a veteran to be featured in the newsletter, please give our team a call at (662) 841-8808. Retired Mississippi Army National Guard Sergeant (SGT) William Brooks, our veterans outreach coordinator, would also like to hear from you. William travels throughout the district, meeting with veterans of all conflicts to listen and record their stories for the Library of Congress for their Veterans History Project. Please give William a call at (662) 687-3518.

a week in pictures

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

Seemann Composites, Inc. President Sid
Charbonnet, Chief Financial
Officer Will Seemann, and Government Relations
Consultant Don Mason

AIPAC Mississippi representatives Merle
Flowers from Southaven and Jerry Dattel
from Hattiesburg

Mississippi School Nutrition Association
representatives Jimmy Buchanan, Edward
Hill, Cory Ainsworth, Keba Laird, Doris
Schneider, and Armer Moore

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