U.S. House of Representatives Begins 111^th Congress

 The 111th Congress met for the first time on January 6, 2009, when newly elected and re-elected members of the U.S. House of Representatives took oaths of office and were officially sworn in for terms of two years.  I am very grateful to my neighbors in west-central Missouri who have allowed me to represent Missouri’s Fourth Congressional District.  Representing the interests of small town and rural America is a labor of love for me, and I am excited about the opportunity to serve for another term.

 I also look forward to the opportunity to serving another term as the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.  I have been the Chairman of this committee since January 2007, and am honored and humbled that my colleagues have re-elected me to serve in this role.  As Chairman, I will continue to work in good faith with my colleagues, the new Administration, and the military to develop defense policies that keep America safe and support our men and women in uniform.

 Over the next several weeks, a number of events will take place that may shape the Congressional session ahead.  First, we anticipate the Presidential Inauguration festivities on January 20.  This will be followed by the State of the Union address, which the President will deliver during a joint session of Congress in early February.  Following his State of the Union address, the President is expected to send Congress his federal budget proposal for the coming fiscal year.

 Although it is impossible to predict exactly which issues Congress will take up over the next two years, President-elect Obama and the Congressional leadership announced a few items that may be on the agenda.  It is likely that an economic recovery bill, designed to create jobs and boost our economy, will be among the first measures to be considered by Congress.  Toward that end, I recently sent a letter to the Speaker of the House, urging the House to include rural economic stimulus in such a package.  Directing funds for rural development grants and loans, for rural water and sewer improvement, for agricultural research and development, and for rural school construction will create jobs throughout rural America and help to ensure a better way of life for rural citizens now and into the future.

 In the days ahead, Congress and the new Administration will also likely consider legislation intended to bolster the middle class and put our economy back on track.  This week, the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 11, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, and H.R. 12, the Paycheck Fairness Act.  These measures would help to ensure pay equity between men and women and would close loopholes that have allowed employers to avoid responsibility with respect to discriminatory pay.  Congress is also expected to consider legislation that would protect vital health care services, provide tax relief to hardworking families, and build classrooms for the 21st century.

 Our nation faces a number of challenges at home and abroad that will affect how Congress, the new Administration, and the American people move forward in the days ahead.  As we start a new Congressional session, I hope that we can work together in a bipartisan way to improve the lives of all Americans.

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