March 6, 2018

Dear Friend,

Last week, Representative Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and I introduced legislation that will provide men and women in the National Guard and Reserves with something they have earned and deserve - the same access to available healthcare choices.

Currently, military guardsmen and reservists can purchase TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS), for their healthcare needs. However, federal employees who are also in the Guard or Reserves are required to choose the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan (FEHBP). The Health Coverage for Reservists and Guardsmen Act would provide dual-status military technicians in the National Guard and Reserves with the choice to purchase TRS coverage instead of the FEHBP option.

SPC Kellen Lang, SGT Cole Bowman,
LTC Rodney Bowman, 2LT Austin Bowman,
and SGT Nevin Lang with the 2-114th Field
Artillery Regiment at the Ackerman ceremony

Over the weekend, I was honored to spend time with soldiers and their families at Camp Shelby and in Ackerman, who will be deploying to Kuwait this summer. These men and women are going to be away from their families for many months. The last thing any of them should have to worry about is health insurance. We believe all guardsmen and reservists should be able to choose between the two plans, based on their personal and family needs.

I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this legislation and make a straight-forward smart fix to an unfair bureaucratic restriction. To track the progress of the bill, please click on the link.

Community banks and credit unions

The mortgage crisis which began around 2005, led to the passage of the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010, also known as Dodd-Frank. The goal was to prevent large banks from failing through enhanced oversight. Over the years, smaller community banks and credit unions have been negatively impacted - including many of those in the district. The additional rules and regulations continue to get in the way of community banks and credit unions doing what they do best - providing loans at affordable rates to small businesses and consumers.

The Peoples Bank President and CEO
Mary Childs and Loan Processor Angela Bridges

Mary Childs, president and chief executive officer of The Peoples Bank in Ripley, said their bank and many others like them, had to increase their staff to keep up with all the regulations. "They say all these regulations are to help the consumer," Mary said. "That is not true. Excessive regulations cause more paperwork, longer wait times, and impacts the services we are able to offer."

Last week, the House Small Business Committee held a hearing to discuss a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report that identifies burdensome banking regulations. Michael Clements, Director of Financial Markets and Community Investment of GAO, discussed the findings of their report and addressed our concerns. To watch an excerpt from the hearing, please click on the link.

maintaining security

Our tours of the U.S. Military installations in South Korea and Japan were productive. It was an opportunity to meet with U.S. troops and our allies about our collaborative efforts to counter North Korea. To see in person the important role that all parties have in this strategic region of the world was invaluable.

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Legislative
Affairs Rob Hood, Senator Dan Sullivan,
Senator James Inhofe, General Vincent Brooks,
General Kim, Byeong-Joo, Senator Joni
Ernst, Lieutenant General Tom Bergeson,
A/DCM Ed Sagurton, and
USFK staff in South Korea

Through my role on the House Armed Services Committee, I will continue to work to ensure that we maintain strong missile defense capabilities and the highest levels of readiness across our military so that we can sustain the working relationships with our allies in deterring aggression.

Thomas mills

Agriculture is the number one industry in Mississippi and a main driver of the economy. It is our top priority to push for policies that will help farmers succeed.

Thomas Mills is a legislative assistant in our DC office, specializing in agriculture policy. His legislative work will support our team's effort, which is to be the voice of our district's farmers on Capitol Hill.

Thomas grew up in New Albany, Mississippi. Thomas said he has always been interested in the field of agriculture. "The farming industry touches so many lives in Mississippi," Thomas said. "Being able to work for my home district is an honor."

Thomas is the main point of contact for the House Committee on Agriculture. If you have a question or a concern, e-mail him at Thomas.Mills@mail.house.gov or give our team a call at (202) 225-4306.

congressional art competition

Each spring, members of the House of Representatives sponsor a high school art competition. The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage artistic talent in our district and across the nation.

This competition is open to all high school students. The overall winner of our district's competition will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The deadline to submit artwork is Wednesday, April 18, 2018. For more information, please click on the link.

a week in pictures

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

American Legion of Mississippi Legislative
Council representatives Jim Sigmond,
Ray Barrett, Steve Sweet,
Tony Murry, and Robert Gosa

STAY IN TOUCH

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Thanks for reading,

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