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    <title>Congressman Ike Skelton's Press Releases</title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/RSS.xml</link>
    <description>Press Releases released by Rep. Ike Skelton within the last 90 days.</description>
    <language>en-us</language>
    <managingEditor>Rebecca.Loving@mail.house.gov</managingEditor>
    <webMaster>CAO HIR WSB</webMaster>

  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton Concerned About Decision to Prosecute Detainees in Federal Criminal Court]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/Detainees.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                               WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; Today, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Attorney General Eric Holder to request a briefing on the administration&rsquo;s decision to use federal criminal courts to prosecute detainees currently held at the U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. 
                     ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton: House Passes Bill to Reauthorize Important Firefighter Assistance Programs]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/Firefighter_Assistance_Programs.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) announced today that Congress has approved H.R. 3791, the Fire Grants Reauthorization Act. The bipartisan legislation would reauthorize the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG) and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program for five years. 
                     ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton Reaction to the House Passage of the Health Insurance Reform Legislation]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/Health_Care.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; Today, Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) released the following statement concerning H.R. 3962, the Affordable Health Care for America Act:
                     ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Sat, 7 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton Supports Legislation That Benefits Missouri's Unemployed and Extends Important Tax Provisions]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/Unemployment_Extension.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                               WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; Today, Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) announced that Congress has approved H.R. 3548, the Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act. The bipartisan legislation would extend unemployment benefits for 14 weeks and for six weeks in states with unemployment rates above 8.5 percent.  Missouri&rsquo;s unemployment rate was 9.5 percent in September 2009.
                     ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 5 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton Commends 509th Bomb Wing on Successful Inspection]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/509th_Bomb_Wing.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                               WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) sent a letter to Brigadier General Robert E. Wheeler, Commander of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, to commend the 509th Bomb Wing on successfully completing its Nuclear Operational Readiness Inspection.
                     ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 5 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton Meets With the Secretary of Labor to Discuss Unemployment in the Fourth District]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/Sec_Solis_Meeting.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                               WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) recently met with U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis to discuss the economy and issues important to Show-Me State residents. During the meeting, Congressman Skelton spelled out his concerns about the unemployment rate in Missouri&rsquo;s Fourth Congressional District and discussed potential solutions to boosting job opportunities in rural Missouri. 
                     ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 4 Nov 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton: Small Business Legislation Good for Rural Small Businesses]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/Small_Business.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                              WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives has approved H.R. 3854, the Small Business Financing and Investment Act, legislation to extend the small business lending programs created by the economic stimulus bill and to modernize most SBA capital access programs. This legislation, which Congressman Skelton cosponsored, would also increase the size of the loan SBA can offer and create the Rural Lender Outreach Program, which reduces application burdens for small business borrowers, increases loan guarantees, and encourages banks to lend to rural entrepreneurs. And, the legislation would also promote veteran-owned businesses.
                     ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton Praises Pork Trade Breakthrough with China]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/China_Pork_Trade.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) praised today&rsquo;s announcement by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk that China has agreed to resume imports of U.S. pork products to the Chinese market.  The spread of H1N1 human influenza cases in the U.S. prompted China to irresponsibly impose a ban on imported U.S. pork products in May 2009. 
                     ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton Honors Missouri Veterans on the National Mall]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/WWII_Veterans_Visit.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; Today, Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) joined 35 World War II veterans from Show-Me Honor Flight at the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
                     ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton: House Health Insurance Reform Proposals Not the Answer]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/House_Health_Insurance_Reform.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                                WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; Today, Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) outlined his concerns about the health insurance reform proposals currently before the U.S. House of Representatives.  His statement is set forth below.  Also, a radio address given by Congressman Skelton on the House health insurance reform proposals is available by clicking here.     
                     ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[An "Evening With Ike"]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/Evening_With_Ike_Release.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                                WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) announced that he will hold an &ldquo;Evening With Ike&rdquo; event for residents of Missouri&rsquo;s Fourth Congressional District on Thursday, October 15, 2009, at 6:00 pm CDT to continue his on-going discussion with Fourth District residents about the issues they are discussing and challenges they are facing in rural Missouri.
                                The discussion will take place through a 60 minute large-scale conference call. This format will allow for large numbers of Fourth District residents to listen to the discussion and to ask questions of Congressman Skelton.]]></description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton Says Defense Bill Funds Missouri Projects]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/NDAA_MO_Projects.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                               WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO), Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, announced that the Fiscal Year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act conference report includes more than $188.77 million for projects at Whiteman Air Force Base and Fort Leonard Wood.   
                     ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 8 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Agriculture Appropriations Bill is Good for Rural Missouri, Says Skelton]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/Ag_Appropriations.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                               WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives has approved H.R. 2997, the Fiscal Year 2010 Agriculture Department Appropriations Conference Report. The legislation would provide $121.2 billion for agriculture, conservation, rural development, nutrition, and university extension programs during the coming fiscal year.  It would also include two important provisions supported by Congressman Skelton &ndash; emergency relief to dairy farmers and a remedy to an international trade dispute that had been problematic in America&rsquo;s agricultural trade policies with China.
                    &ldquo;I am pleased that the United States Congress has come through for rural America.  This Department of Agriculture spending bill funds a number of programs vital to my farmers in the Fourth District, including commodity supports, the Farm Service Agency, and agricultural research initiatives, and to all of us who reside in rural Missouri.  I am particularly pleased that the legislation provides a major financial boost to farm-operating and farm-ownership loans, which help farmers pay for equipment and acquire land. ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 7 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton Talks Missouri River Issues With Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), the Honorable Jo Ellen Darcy]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/MO_River_Meeting.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                               WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) met with the Honorable Jo Ellen Darcy, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works to discuss issues important to Show-Me State residents.  While the meeting could be defined as a &ldquo;get to know you&rdquo; session, Congressman Skelton took the liberty of clearly spelling out his commitment to looking after the interests of Missouri&rsquo;s farmers, barge operators, utilities, and citizens when it comes to the Corps&rsquo; management of the Missouri River. The Congressman also invited Secretary Darcy to visit Fort Leonard Wood and the Missouri River sometime in the future. 
                     ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 7 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton, Other Representatives, Urge Action for American Pork Producers]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/Pork_Producers.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                               WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Congressman Ike Skelton and a bipartisan group of Members from the House of Representatives urged the Administration to provide emergency support to the U.S. pork industry. 
                     ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 5 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton Pays Tribute to Missouri's Hunters and Anglers on National Hunting and Fishing Day]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/Hunting_and_Fishing_Day.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                              WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; Today, Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) pays tribute to and urges Missourians to recognize Show-Me State hunters and fishermen on National Hunting and Fishing Day, which is Saturday, September 26, 2009.  As set forth by presidential proclamation, this important day recognizes the contributions of hunters and fishermen to the American economy and to our way of life, and it reminds people to participate in these valuable activities.  
                    
                    ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton: Extending Unemployment Benefits is a Cost-Effective Way to Stimulate the Economy]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/Extending_Unemployment_Benefits.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                              WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives has approved H.R. 3548, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009, to extend unemployment benefits for 13 weeks to states with unemployment rates at or above 8.5 percent.  Missouri&rsquo;s unemployment was 9.5 percent in August 2009. 
                    ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton: Best Approach in Afghanistan is a Properly Resourced Counter-insurgency Strategy]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/CounterInsurgency_Strategy.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                                WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; In a letter to the President, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton (D-MO) expressed support for the Afghanistan counter-insurgency strategy endorsed by President Obama last March.  Skelton urged the President to give this strategy, and Commanding General Stanley McChrystal&rsquo;s counter-insurgency campaign plan, the resources and time required to show success in Afghanistan.  
                    ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton: Deadline for U.S. Service Academy Applications Nearing]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/Academy_Nomination.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                              WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; Today, Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) reminded young people in Missouri&rsquo;s Fourth Congressional District who are interested in a nomination to attend a U.S. Military Academy, including West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, or the Merchant Marine Academy, to write a letter of interest to Congressman Skelton&rsquo;s Sedalia office &ndash; 908 Thompson Boulevard, Sedalia, Missouri 65301.  Congressman Skelton is now accepting applications for students interested in entering a U.S. Military Academy in June 2010.  The deadline for submitting applications is October 31, 2009.  
                    ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton Cosponsors Legislation to Ensure Service Members Can Take Full Advantage of First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/Service_Members_FirstTime_Homebuyer_Tax_Credit.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                              WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; Today, Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) joined Congressman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY), Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Congressman Walter B. Jones, Jr. (R-NC), and 26 other Members of the House of Representatives, in introducing H.R. 3590, the Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009.  This deficit-neutral legislation would amend the federal tax code to ensure military personnel can take full advantage of the first-time homebuyer tax credit that was created as part of H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
                    
                    ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton Meets With Missouri Pork Producers in Washington]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/MO_Pork_Producers.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                              WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) met with representatives from the Missouri Pork Association Delegation yesterday to discuss a variety of topics critical to pork producers. 
                    ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton Calls on Chairman to Examine Legislative Solutions to Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment Issue]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/Letter_to_Rangel.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                              WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; In a letter sent today, Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) urged the Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means to consider a legislative solution to the Congressional Budget Office&rsquo;s (CBO) report that found that Social Security benefits may not be subject to cost-of-living adjustments in 2010.  This would be the first time since 1975 that there would be no inflationary adjustment to Social Security benefits.  Skelton&rsquo;s letter is set forth below:   
                    ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton: News Media Must Be More Responsible When Reporting H1N1 Human Influenza]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/H1N1_Flu_Virus.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                              WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; In letters sent today to the National Association of Broadcasters, the National Newspaper Association, and the Radio and Television News Directors Association, Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) urged national news outlets to be more responsible when reporting stories on H1N1 human influenza.  Many national and local news reports have consistently and inaccurately referred to this virus solely as &ldquo;swine flu,&rdquo; which is contributing to misconceptions about the safety of American hogs and pork products.  American hogs and pork are safe.  Hog and pig markets are currently underperforming and pork producers are struggling.  News outlets should not be making matters worse during this difficult time.  Congressman Skelton&rsquo;s letter is set forth below:
                    ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title><![CDATA[Skelton: Show Me Energy Cooperative Selected As First Participant in USDA's New Biomass Crop Assistance Program]]></title>
    <link>http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/mo04_skelton/BCAP.html</link>
    <description><![CDATA[
                    
                              WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash; Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) selected Show Me Energy Cooperative in Centerview, Missouri, as America's first participant in the Biomass Crop Assistance Program, or commonly referred to as BCAP.  Created under the 2008 Farm Bill, the Biomass Crop Assistance Program will provide payments to farmers for the collection, harvest, storage, and transportation of eligible biomass crops to designated biomass conversion facilities.  Producers must live in areas around biomass facilities to qualify for payments.
                    ]]></description>
    <pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST</pubDate>
  </item>

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