June 11, 2021

Newsletter

June is a special month in agriculture, as it is officially National Dairy Month!

Missouri produces over 1 billion pounds of milk annually and is home to 75,000 dairy cows. As America bounces back from COVID-19 and our children head to school in the fall, it is vital for milk to also make its way back into our educational institutions for healthy, strong bodies. After all, milk is the #1 source of nine nutrients in children’s diets and a leading food source of potassium, calcium, and vitamin D – three of the four nutrients of public health concern.

For the full scope of this week’s activities, please see below.

Fighting for Missouri’s Cattlemen and Women

America’s producers continue to face challenges in the cattle market, particularly in terms of external market disruptions and the fading COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why the Optimizing the Cattle Market Act is so vital for our cattlemen and women.

Introduced with the support of my Missouri colleague Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, this legislation aims to usher in transparency improvements and restore accountability in the industry to lift up these struggling sectors and embark on a new chapter of progress.

Endorsed by the American Farm Bureau Federation, Livestock Marketing Association, Missouri Cattlemen, and Missouri Farm Bureau, it is my hope that this bill will enable mechanisms for greater price discovery and transparency within the cattle market, while equipping producers with more tools and useful information to succeed. You can read more about this legislation here.

Where’s the Urgency at the Border?

After being on the ground at the border, it has only increased my urgency towards solving President Biden’s border crisis. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the current administration in the White House.

Despite being named America’s “Border Czar” nearly 80 days ago, Vice President Kamala Harris has yet to travel to the border to see it firsthand — something many of my Republican colleagues and I have done recently. If she did, she would see what we all saw in El Paso: endangered citizens, incentivized cruel behavior, and an illegal invasion that will have negative ramifications for years to come.

The influx of illegal immigrants, drug trafficking, and human smuggling into our country is not acceptable. Over Memorial Day Weekend, the Missouri State Highway Patrol stopped 64 pounds of meth from being transported through Springfield, with federal prosecutors noting the suspect’s recent travels to Mexico.

We must work to reverse this catastrophe, and it starts with President Biden and Vice President Harris taking it seriously.

Scene Outside Kansas City Police Department

Over the weekend, a vile representation of a coffin containing a police officer was laid on the steps of the Kansas City Police Department Headquarters during a protest.

Scenes such as this one in Missouri are truly disgusting and sickening — and do nothing to make our towns safer. Since the beginning of 2021, crime throughout our nation has skyrocketed as calls to defund our police forces continue. We’ve already seen the rapid increase in murder rates in America’s largest cities:

We must support our law enforcement officers who protect our communities from harm. As I have for my entire time in Congress, I will always support and back the blue.

Mobile Office Hours Available

Representing the needs and interests of residents in Missouri’s Fourth District is very important to me. To accomplish this, a member of my staff will be holding Mobile Office Hours to meet with you, listen to your concerns, and address any problems you may be having with a federal or state agency.

Next week’s scheduled dates are as follows:

Monday, June 14th

Webster County: 8:00am-9:00am – Webster County Courthouse, Room 23, 101 S. Crittenden Street, Marshfield, MO 65706
Morgan County: 12:00pm-1:00pm – Morgan County Public Library, 600 North Hunter Street, Versailles MO 65084

Tuesday, June 15th

Dade County: 9:00am-10:00am – Dade County Courthouse, 300 E Water St, Greenfield, MO 65661
Randolph County: 12:00pm-1:00pm – Little Dixie Regional Library, 111 North 4th Street, Moberly, MO 65270

Wednesday, June 16th

Camden County: 10:00am-11:00am – Macks Creek High School, Adell Library Media Center, 245 Missouri NN, Macks Creek, MO 65786
Howard County: 12:00pm-1:00pm – Howard County Public Library, 201 S. Main, Fayette, MO 65248

Thursday, June 17th

Dallas County: 9:00am-10:00am – Buffalo City Hall, 115 S. Maple St., Buffalo, MO 65622
Hickory County: 12:00pm-1:00pm – Hickory County Courthouse, 23645 Polk Street, Hermitage, MO 65668
Audrain County: 12:00pm-1:00pm – Audrain County Courthouse Community Room, 101 North Jefferson Street, Mexico, MO 65265

Friday, June 18th