Commentary

Dear Friend, 25 years ago today, I know exactly where I was and what I was doing when the world changed. I’m willing to bet you do too, if you were alive that day. It’s one of those markers in history that shapes our lives from that point forward. It is a day I will…

Dear Friend, Many years ago, I took a trip to New Zealand with a group of Missouri farmers. We took over coolers of our American beef as a gift. One night at dinner, we cooked it up alongside some of their beef that they had been touting. Guess which one was left over after dinner?…

Dear Friend, It’s been a productive year thus far in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which I am proud to lead. There is still plenty of work left to get major legislation across the finish line, but I’m committed to working with my colleagues to deliver several important bills to the President. Earlier this…

Dear Friend, North Missouri is bordered on the west and south by the Missouri River—on the east, by the Mississippi. We know the power of the river. It’s never far from the minds of those who live and work along it. Through countless floods, we’ve seen what can happen when poor management and bureaucracy meet…

Dear Friend, 250 years ago, the United States of America was born as a grand experiment in freedom. Built by men who risked everything they had, including their lives, our nation endures today and stands as the greatest country in the world. That day, July 4, 1776, changed everything when the Second Continental Congress adopted…

Dear Friend, Our men and women in the military answer the call to defend, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect us. We have the strongest fighting force in the world. It’s critical we do everything we can to ensure our warfighters have the tools and resources they need to do their job. Earlier this…

Dear Friend, June 6, 1944, marked a pivotal moment in World War II. In the early morning hours, Operation Overlord commenced as paratroopers dropped into Normandy, France, under the cover of darkness. The largest naval bombardment in history followed shortly thereafter. Within hours, Allied forces stormed the beaches, where many were cut down under heavy…

Dear Friend, The United States has always been a nation of builders, continually seeking to improve our infrastructure. Now, 250 years since the inception of our great country, the next generation of America’s infrastructure has arrived. This week, as Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I proudly introduced the BUILD America 250 Act,…

Dear Friend, Farming isn’t just a way to make a living. It’s a way of life—one that I’ve been blessed to share with my family. Growing up, I never dreamed I’d be a Congressman. All I wanted to do was farm, but when I came back from college at the height of the 1980s farm…

Legislative Column for the Week of April 20, 2026 This week, the Missouri Senate reached a major milestone in the state budget process. After floor discussion and debate, the Senate third read and passed the core fiscal year 2027 operating budget bills, House Bills 2002 through 2013. These measures fund the essential departments and services…