Rural Development
More on Rural Development
In rural America we understand the importance of postal mail to connecting our republic. Sites across Nebraska’s Third District on the Pony Express Historic Trail commemorate the value of this service back to our earliest days as a territory and state. However, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has been in the news more than usual lately for two reasons – its financial troubles and the increase in mail-in voting due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nebraskans always look at the positive side of life. Our communities grow when individuals step up: helping their neighbors, being involved, and creating opportunities for themselves and others. For this reason, I am excited to launch a new project this year to acknowledge the contributions of individuals, organizations, and those who are working every day to improve and help their communities in the current environment – the Excellence in Innovation and Adaptation Recognition (EIAR).
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) has announced the names of the Third District high school students who will serve on his Youth Advisory Council for the 2020-2021 academic school year.
I invite all Third District residents to share what inspires your work and how you have witnessed fellow Nebraskans embrace innovation and create opportunities during this uniquely challenging year.
The stories of Nebraskans who are working to make, "The Good Life" even better for the future of our state are inspiring. I look forward to learning more about their stories and highlighting the work ethic and innovativeness of Nebraskans in Washington.
While the Third District of Nebraska is still feeling the impact of last year’s historic floods, we are fortunately seeing recovery efforts along the Missouri River on all levels – local, state, and federal. On the federal level, the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (H.R. 7575), commonly known as WRDA, passed the House this week. WRDA is the legislation Congress and the President periodically enact to authorize federal water management projects across the nation.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE), released the following statement after the House passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (H.R. 7575). Included in this legislation is language Smith developed with the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to help communities which abide by certain criteria restore their eligibility for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assistance to repair damage from 2019 flooding.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Adrian Smith released the following statement after the introduction of the Lower Missouri Flood Prevention Program Act. He is an original cosponsor of the bill, along with representatives from Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. The legislation would establish a Lower Missouri River Flood Prevention Program to improve flood prevention on the Missouri River from Sioux City, IA, to its confluence with the Mississippi River.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE) and Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ) introduced H.R. 6792, the Improving Telehealth for Underserved Communities Act, to improve the Rural Health Clinic (RHC) telehealth fix created by the CARES Act.
Just a few weeks ago, we were in the midst of the strongest economy in years. We now find ourselves with questions about what will happen to our economy due to the COVID-19 outbreak. In contrast with other times of economic uncertainty, this interruption in our economy was not caused by bad decisions or nefarious actors, nor were we nearing the end of a business cycle. It was caused by a viral pandemic: a natural disaster. Though it may be painful, American resolve will bring us through this crisis.
The State of the Union is a time-honored tradition, envisioned by our Founders in the Constitution, which provides an opportunity to review the past year and hear the President’s ideas to make America even better in the next one. The State of the Union was traditionally given to Congress in writing only until 1913, when President Woodrow Wilson started the tradition of giving a speech to Congress. Regardless of who is President, it is important for Congress, and our country, to hear directly from the leader of our nation.