View from the Capitol - Congresswoman Hartzler's Weekly Newsletter for the Week of March 16-20, 2015
Dear Friend,
This week was extremely busy, but I was pleased to have the chance to meet with some great groups of people from Missouri who came to visit while they were in DC. It is always a special treat for me when fellow Mizzou Tigers come see me. A group of students from MU’s Engineering Department came to visit. Jonathan Jennings, a senior, recently founded a Chapter of Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) on campus and brought a group of students to DC to tell me about their organization and discuss space policy. I wish them and the group the best going forward.
Congresswoman Hartzler meets with MU SEDS students. Pictured: (Left to right) Jonathan Jennings, Cody Lute, Congresswoman Hartzler, and Thomas Franklin
I was also privileged to speak with a group of agriculture leaders from Agricultural Leadership of Tomorrow (ALOT) program in Missouri about the new Farm Bill, its implementation, and other agricultural issues facing our farmers today. ALOT helps foster and promote strong leaders in every aspect of agriculture. This group is leading the way in Missouri agriculture.
Congresswoman Hartzler addresses a group of ALOT participants.
Thomas Cleek, a talented athlete from Missouri’s Fourth and Special Olympian, brought his family to DC to talk with me about the Special Olympics in Missouri and the benefits the games bring to the athletes all across the country. Thomas proudly wore the gold medal he won playing golf in the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games in New Jersey recently. I wish him continued success in the future!
Congresswoman Hartzler met with Thomas Cleek and his family. Pictured (left to right): Mary Cleek, sister; Thomas Cleek; Congresswoman Hartzler; Heather Cleek, mother
Fort Leonard Wood will partner with the Special Olympics of Missouri to play host to the 2015 Missouri Special Olympics State Indoor Games March 27-29. For more information on these games, click here. For more information on the Special Olympics of Missouri and to learn about volunteer opportunities, visit their website here.
The House passed a pair of bills this week aimed at increasing transparency and accountability within the EPA. The Secret Science Reform Act and the Science Advisory Board Reform Act work to make sure the EPA is making decisions based on a balanced opinion and publicly available data.
Currently, the EPA’s Science Advisory Board is comprised of 52 members who are appointed by the EPA Administrator. Their job is to review the quality of the science being used by the EPA when it makes the rules and regulations that it levies on the American people. This bill would mandate that state and local governments are represented on this board, giving them greater representation in the rulemaking process. Even though this Administration seems to think one-size-fits-all policies are the way to go, I believe that Missouri and Missourians know best what is best for our communities.
Additionally, the Secret Science Reform Act makes sure that the data the EPA uses to make its decisions is the same data that you and I have available to us. The people should be able to access and verify the information that goes into the EPA’s decisions, such as the EPA’s Wood Burning Stove Regulations, instead of simply taking its word for it. The bill ensures that EPA studies are verifiable by independent scientists before such costly regulations would be imposed.
I greatly value your input. Have you run into troubles with your taxes due to Obamacare? Has Obamacare given you a headache instead of a cure? I want to hear your story. As Tax Day nears, visit my website here and tell me how Obama’s onerous health care taxes have affected you. Also, remember to stop by my website and check out the events page from time to time to see when the next listening post or open house is in your area.
Sincerely,
Vicky Hartzler
Member of Congress