Press Release

“I am very pleased that the Senate unanimously passed the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act today – legislation I have been pushing the Congress to adopt for several years.  This bill, which I introduced with Rep. Dr. Phil Roe and which passed the House earlier this year, will save lives and provide parents and educators with peace of mind that students with food allergies will be safe at school. 

“Today, House Republican leaders released the 2014 legislative schedule.  The House should take full advantage of the days we are in session next year to engage in bipartisan compromise toward achieving the results our constituents expect from us: creating jobs, setting our fiscal house in order, and investing in the long-term competitiveness of our economy.

"Today's announcement by the Office of Management and Budget that the federal deficit for Fiscal Year 2013 has been significantly lowered continues a trend since President Obama took office. 

“Today, House and Senate conferees will begin negotiations on a farm bill – negotiations Democrats have been requesting for months.  I strongly urge the conferees to produce legislation that supports economic and jobs growth in rural America while protecting critical Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding for low-income families.  

“By approving the School Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act, which will save lives by ensuring that students suffering from food allergies have access to life-saving epinephrine, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee today took an important step toward its enactment into law. 

“Congress has a responsibility to take action to help America’s private sector create jobs and compete in a changing global marketplace, and I am glad Democratic Senators, led by Senator Chris Coons, have launched a manufacturing jobs initiative that will complement House Democrats’ Make It In America plan.

“One year ago today, Hurricane Sandy struck the Atlantic coast with devastating effects: causing billions of dollars worth of damage, destroying homes and businesses, and leaving millions of people without power.  Dozens of people were killed across several states, and I join in remembering their tragic deaths today.   

"I was very saddened to learn of the passing of my friend, Ike Skelton.  He was an extraordinary American, and I had the privilege of serving alongside him in Congress for nearly thirty years, where I saw his compassion, his humility, and his deep-rooted Missouri values up close.