8th District U.S. House of Representatives: Jason Smith

Name Jason Smith

Age 36

Place of birth St. Louis, MO - 9 days later moved to Salem, MO

Education

B.S., Agriculture Economics - University of Missouri - Columbia

B.S., Business Administration - University of Missouri - Columbia

Law Degree - Oklahoma City University

Occupation Small Business Owner, Lawyer, Real Estate Agent, Family Farm Owner

Employer The hardworking families of southeast and south central Missouri

Businesses owned, all or part

Smith Farms

Smith & Parker Enterprises

Public offices held or sought; give dates

Missouri State Representative, District 150, 2006 - 2012

Missouri State Representative, District 120, 2013

Missouri House Majority Whip, 2011 - 2012

Missouri House Speaker Pro Tem, 2013

U.S. House of Representatives, Missouri 8th District, 2013 - Present

Website http://www.electjasonsmith.com/

Email jasonsmithforcongress@gmail.com

How would you balance the federal budget?

One of the first bills I introduced 36 months ago was a balanced budget amendment to our Constitution, because if itÂ’s good enough for the folks of Missouri then itÂ’s good enough for Washington. Every American family is doing more with less, there is no reason your government shouldnÂ’t do the same. We also need to enact pro economic growth policies which gets Washington off the backs of every family, farmer and small business owner.

What steps would you take to address gun violence in the U.S.?

As the only candidate endorsed by the National Rifle Association, I can tell you that politically charged terms like 'gun violence' are what is used by the Liberal Left to restrict our Constitutionally protected rights. The Second Amendment is under assault by this administration and its liberal allies. Restricting our personal freedoms is un-American, and doing so at a time when we are all feeling less safe from threats of terror is unconscionable.

Poverty is among the top issues throughout Missouri's 8th District. What are your strategies to improve the district's economy and create more jobs?

The best way out of poverty is a good paying job. Over 175,000 pages of federal regulations, one of the highest tax rates in the world and a federal debt eclipsing $20 trillion is suffocating job growth in this country. That is why I have authored and passed proposals to balance the budget, rid the federal register of outdated, burdensome and duplicative regulations and am authoring a simpler, fairer and flatter tax code.

A constant criticism of Congress is gridlock caused by party clashes. What efforts would you make to work with both parties to pass bills that will improve the state and the district?

No republican and no democrat owns a monopoly on good ideas. I will always work with mayors, farmers, business owners, senators and Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle. You don't have to agree with someone 100% of the time to work with them, but developing relationships and an understanding of where folks come from helps identify where you agree, what you can work on and how to accomplish the most for Missouri.

Closing remarks

My family has been a part of the communities of southeast and south central Missouri for 7 generations. For too long Washington has made promises it canÂ’t deliver on and has let taxation, spending, and regulatory red tape spiral out of control. You sent me to Washington to fight for our way of life, and you can count on me to never stop.