It is that time of year when Congress begins to debate the annual appropriations bills for the upcoming fiscal year. As colleagues of mine go on the House floor to debate various bills, I am reminded of my priorities since coming into Congress and reflect on the battle to rein in Washington’s overspending and get America headed back in the right direction. Read more »

It seems that almost everyone I met with during my trips around the district last week had three things on their minds: jobs, spending and health care. I can’t say this fact surprised me and there continues to be a lot of frustration among hard-working Missourians who are willing to do what is necessary at home and at work to improve their quality of life. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-9) today voted in favor of H.R. 4628, the Interest Rate Reduction Act, to extend current interest rates on student loans for one year. This bill will prevent interest rates from increasing on July 1, 2012, from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on new federally subsidized Stafford Loans to undergraduate students. In 2007, Congress enacted a law that would double student loan interest rates starting in 2012. Read more »

I am always impressed when I’m back home every weekend in the 9th District by how engaged people are when it comes to the state of the federal budget. Read more »

Since the president and Democrats in the Senate have refused to focus seriously on avoiding the debt-fueled crisis our nation faces, the House of Representatives stepped up again today by advancing a bold plan of action that will help lift our crushing burden of debt and spur job creation and economic opportunity, while strengthening health and retirement security. Read more »

I am extremely disappointed that the president’s proposed budget contains more spending we can’t afford and increases taxes on hard-working Americans at a time when people need more money in their pockets. Read more »