Smith showing strong signs of leadership in U.S. House

Jason Smith, the congressman representing the southeast and south-central portion of Missouri in the U.S. House of Representatives, recently claimed the leadership post of secretary of the House.

Smith was chosen by voice vote by his GOP colleagues. He will be one of eight GOP leaders who will drive policy decisions. He joins Roy Blunt and Richard Gephardt as the only Missouri lawmakers in the last 50 years to hold a leadership position in the House. At 36 years old, he is the youngest member of leadership.

Smith seems to be making the most of his opportunities in U.S. government, and appears to be advancing very quickly.

“I want to make sure the values of Missouri, the values of Southeast Missouri, South Central Missouri and all rural Missouri are at the leadership table,” Smith said.

That brings us to a bill likely to be signed into law that help patients on dialysis. Smith introduced the legislation.

The dialysis law was approved unanimously by the House of Representatives in September and would remove a federal restriction that previously prevented patients with kidney failure from accessing high-quality, affordable health care coverage they need, according to Smith’s office.

Smith has been very clear and vocal about his strong conservative stances on issues. But this bill demonstrates that Smith has the ability to put forward bills that make sense across party lines as well.

Smith said he drafted the legislation after hearing from families in the 8th Congressional District he serves.

Patients suffering from kidney failure need better options when choosing the best health care services during their road to recovery and should not face restrictions from the federal government,” Smith said after the Senate’s action.

Smith’s rapid ascent in the GOP demonstrates that others believe in his conservative principles, and that he has earned a stronger voice in our government. The law is a small sample, but demonstrates Smith’s ability to serve more than just his party’s interest. These are both encouraging signs for the 8th Congressional District.