March 10, 2017
Dear Friend,
The strength and security of our nation is measured by how well we can feed and defend ourselves. This was the message I shared with House Appropriations Committee members as I appeared before the Defense and Agriculture subcommittees this week to discuss the upcoming Fiscal year 2018 (FY18) appropriations bills.
Military readiness has never been more important. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have heard firsthand from our military leaders and national security experts regarding threats we are facing around the globe and how well equipped we are to address them. In my remarks before the Defense Subcommittee, I emphasized the importance of fully funding our military and not overlooking the invaluable contributions of the men and women serving in the National Guard. You can watch an excerpt from the hearing below.
In my statement before the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies, I made it clear that for our farmers to be competitive across the globe, they have to have resources to make it happen. The Fiscal Year 2018 (FY18) agricultural appropriations bill will be critical to preserving the essential role our Mississippi farmers play at home and around the world. You can watch an excerpt from the hearing below.
This week, I also chaired the first hearing of the Small Business Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight and Regulations of the 115th Congress. Over 80% of the businesses in the United States are small businesses accounting for over 40% of the labor force and almost 50% of the US economy. Often, entrepreneurs will not qualify for a business loan despite having a good credit history. The Small Business Administration's 7(a) loan program is a public-private partnership that provides access to credit for those who are unable to gain access to capital through traditional sources. During the hearing, lenders testified about the successes of the program and why it is important to small businesses across the country. You can watch an excerpt from the hearing below.
As your voice on Capitol Hill, it is a top priority to listen to your ideas and concerns. I had that opportunity as I met with constituents in the First District this week. We had an upbeat discussion about the direction of our country.
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| Meeting with constituents in Iuka and Corinth |
ACTIONS IN THE HOUSE
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Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2017
It is encouraging to see a bipartisan effort to support our defense readiness capabilities. H.R. 1301, the FY 2017 Defense Appropriations Bill, passed by a vote of 371-48. The legislation provides for key readiness programs that prepare our troops for combat and peacetime missions, including flight time and training, equipment and facility maintenance, and base operations. Funding will also provide for new equipment and upgrades, including 13 Navy ships, 61 UH-60 Blackhawks, 52 remanufactured Apaches and five new Apaches. The bill will also keep our military on the cutting edge of defense technology by providing crucial funding for research and development. Click here to see the full details of the bill.
The American Health Care Act
This week, the American Health Care Act was introduced in the House. Four committees are working out the details in an open, transparent process. To review a text of the bill, you can access it at readthebill.gop.
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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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Mississippi Home Corporation representatives
Lucien Smith, Dusty Wally, Jimmy Layton,
Tony Jones, Chris Waddell, Scott Spivey,
Thad Varner and Michael Russ |
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| The Mississippi Levee Board |
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National Guard Association of the United
States class for new Construction and
Facility Management officers |
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Ole Miss Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter with
Dr. Alice Clark, Brian Rutledge and Kristy Simms |
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James Bodron, Charles Camillo, MG Michael
Wehr, and CPT Jordan Peck with the
MS River Commission
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Susan G. Komen representatives Catherine
Young, Cindy Hale, and
Christy Moore |
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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Thanks for reading,
Rep. Trent Kelly (MS-01)
Member of Congress
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