Regular readers of this column know that the House of Representatives has been off to a busy start this year. We are particularly focused on regulatory relief, repealing and replacing Obamacare, and reforming our broken tax code during the first 200 days of the Trump presidency. With the House not in session this week, I traveled throughout Missouri to listen to the concerns of my constituents, answer their questions, and make sure they had the most up to date information about what is happening in Washington. It was a great week on the road with many visits and meetings, but my Tuesday trip around Franklin County really stood out to me.

I started the day off with a visit to South Point Elementary in Washington, Mo. I had the pleasure of meeting with two classes of third grade students, who were well prepared by their wonderful teachers Kaycie Brueggemann and Nancy Carriker. It was such a pleasure to sit down with them, answer their questions, and listen to what was on their minds. We talked about the importance of getting and staying involved in their communities at any age. With Presidents’ Day just the day before, I also had the opportunity to discuss American history and leadership. It was a great moment, because among the students at South Point are the future leaders our communities, state, and country. I was very encouraged by the students’ enthusiasm and I see bright things ahead for them. Thank you to Superintendent Dr. Lori VanLeer and Principal Aimee Harty for taking time out of their busy days to join me as well.

From there, I went to City Hall in Washington to meet with a group of veterans from the area. We had a productive discussion and I stressed the importance of ensuring that the VA is held accountable to all veterans. I will be vocal with the Trump Administration to ensure that wait times at the VA are decreased and no one who has proudly served our country will be turned away from accessing high-quality medical care. It’s also a good reminder that my staff and I have a great track record of delivering results for 3^rd District veterans who are having trouble with the VA. If you are a veteran and are having trouble receiving the benefits that you have earned, please contact my office in Jefferson City for assistance.

The next stop was in Union for a tour of East Central College’s Business and Industry Center. Community colleges, like East Central, are a real asset to Missouri and do a great job equipping future workers with the tools they need and preparing them to compete in today’s economy. They are particularly instrumental in closing the skills gap facing many manufacturing companies in the area. It was a great tour of the campus grounds and I look forward to continuing our discussions regarding education and Pell Grants in the future. Thank you to East Central’s Dr. Jon Brauer and Jefferson College’s Dr. Ray Cummiskey for joining me!

That was just a snapshot of a day on the road in eastern and central Missouri. A highlight from later in the week was a visit by the Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence, to a 100 year old business in Fenton. A lot of very talented, dedicated workers from Missouri’s 3^rd District were there, and I was very appreciative that the Vice President took time to recognize them.

Lastly, I held a tele-townhall meeting that several thousand constituents participated in. It was a very productive call with lots of great questions asked. We discussed the future of our nation’s health-care system, tax reform, the budget, and national security among other topics. I want to thank everyone who listened and participated in the call. These calls are insightful and meaningful because of you and your thoughtful questions and comments.

There is a lot happening on a daily basis and it is clear that individuals care about staying informed. Please feel free to send me an email on my website, call any of my offices, or contact me on my social media platforms to stay in touch. If you ever have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to reach out.