HYDE-SMITH ANNOUNCES USDA PURCHASE OF $20 MILLION IN SURPLUS U.S. FARM-RAISED CATFISH

Announced USDA purchase of $20 million in farm-raised catfish for food assistance programs.

“The farm-raised catfish industry has been under tremendous financial pressure as producers have struggled with years of rising costs and inflation. Like many agricultural sectors, our catfish farmers have faced significant economic challenges”

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MISS. LAWMAKERS URGE CAUTION IN IMPLEMENTING NEW ORGAN DONATION STANDARDS

Sent letter urging CMS to consider state feedback on new organ donation performance metrics.

“MORA has demonstrated a strong commitment to innovation, donor family care, hospital development, and community education. These efforts have helped increase donation opportunities while maintaining the dignity and respect every donor and family deserves.”

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HYDE-SMITH, FERC COMMISSIONERS EXAMINE AFFORDABILITY AS DATA CENTERS PROLIFERATE

Questioned FERC commissioners on electricity affordability protections as data centers expand.

“We talk a lot about affordability, and in your testimonies and your written statements, it was one of the top priorities. This administration and this commission continue to take action to be so conscious of that that ratepayers aren’t burdened by the higher cost.”

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HYDE-SMITH, MERKLEY BILL WILL IMPROVE FOREST HEALTH, EXPAND MARKET FOR FORESTRY BIOMASS BYPRODUCTS

Introduced bipartisan bill expanding renewable biomass eligibility to reduce wildfire threats.

“This bipartisan bill creates avenues to help reduce the wildfire threats in the West but also clears the way for biomass produced from non-federal lands in heavily forested states like Mississippi to contribute to the nation’s renewable fuels resources”

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HYDE-SMITH, COMMITTEE REVIEW TRUMP SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING REQUEST FOR AGRICULTURE, DEFENSE

Questioned Trump officials on supplemental funding for agriculture assistance and military readiness.

“Our row crop producers, as you’ve mentioned in your opening remarks, are truly in a serious situation. I’ve talked to multi-generation farmers back home who are the best of the best that did not even plant this year because they could not make the numbers work.”

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HYDE-SMITH NAMED TO DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE

Accepted appointment to Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee following Senator Graham's death.

“I undertake this new assignment on the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee with a measure of sadness for my dear colleague Lindsey Graham, but I am also resolved to serve as he did in support of our men and women in uniform”

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MISS. DELEGATION URGES TRUMP TO APPROVE MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION FOR MISSISSIPPI

Urged Trump to approve major disaster declaration for Mississippi storm damage.

“This extraordinary volume of rainfall triggered life-threatening flash flooding, threatened the integrity of earthen dams, and pushed multiple river basins into major flood stage”

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HYDE-SMITH CELEBRATES NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING LAW

Celebrated enactment of 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act addressing rural housing affordability.

“The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act represents a bipartisan recognition that government should be a helping hand, not a hindrance, as it too often has been in addressing affordable housing needs in Mississippi and across this great nation.”

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HYDE-SMITH RELEASES INDEPENDENCE DAY STATEMENT AS NATION CELEBRATES ITS 250th ANNIVERSARY

Issued Independence Day statement reflecting on America's 250th anniversary and national unity.

“We are Always Strongest When We Come Together in Gratitude, Pride & Patriotism”

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MISS. CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION APPLAUDS TRUMP FOR APPROVING MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION FOR MISSISSIPPI

Applauded Trump for approving major disaster declaration for Mississippi tornado damage.

“We are grateful to President Trump for approving Mississippi's major disaster declaration. These resources will help families, communities, and municipalities rebuild and recover from recent natural disasters”

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HYDE-SMITH ANNOUNCES $17.3 MILLION TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AT NINE MISS. AIRPORTS

Announced $17.3 million in Airport Improvement Program grants to nine Mississippi airports.

“Airport Improvement Program grants will allow more Mississippi airfields to maintain and improve their facilities, and to bring them into compliance with current safety standards. All this work is increasingly important as our state acts to attract more jobs and economic development”

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HYDE-SMITH:  $51.1 MILLION WILL FUND THREE MAJOR TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS IN RANKIN, HANCOCK & HARRISON COUNTIES

Announced $51.1 million in federal transportation grants for three Mississippi projects.

“There’s no doubt that growth in the capital region and on the beautiful Gulf Coast requires significant infrastructure investments to keep pace and prepare for even greater growth.”

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HYDE-SMITH, COLLEAGUES ASK USDA TO PURCHASE SURPLUS CATFISH PRODUCTS

Led letter asking USDA to purchase surplus farm-raised catfish products.

“The industry’s USDA Section 32 purchase request would provide needed relief by providing essential cash flow to farmers to help alleviate the severe financial strain imposed by inflationary pressures.”

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HYDE-SMITH ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY LENDERS NOT TO DELAY IN APPLYING FOR FUNDING FOLLOWING OMB DELAYS

Encouraged community lenders to apply for CDFI funding after OMB released delayed application materials.

“I appreciate OMB getting this data out and I encourage CDFI community lenders to act as quickly as possible to apply.”

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HYDE-SMITH, ROUNDS INTRODUCE BILL BANNING BARBARIC ABORTION PROCEDURES

Introduced bill to ban dilation and evacuation abortion procedures.

“Every pre-born child is precious, and it’s appalling that any physician trained to save lives would dismember a child in the womb. The fact that this horrifying procedure is still being done to babies who can feel pain in the womb is why we need to enact the Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act”

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HYDE-SMITH CHEERS RELEASE OF SENATE FARM BILL 2.0 LANGUAGE

Praised Senate Agriculture Committee's Farm Bill 2.0 draft legislation for rural communities.

“The release of the Farm Bill 2.0 discussion draft is an important step toward getting the Senate to pass a much-needed and complete farm bill that builds on the ag wins in last year’s Working Families Tax Cuts Act”

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HYDE-SMITH, SCHIFF INTRODUCE FOOD SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE LEGISLATION TO EXPAND MARKETS FOR AG PRODUCERS

Introduced bipartisan bill to strengthen food supply chain resilience and expand agricultural markets.

“Making the RSFI permanent will give states greater certainty to make long-term investments that strengthen food supply chains and benefit producers and consumers”

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HYDE-SMITH INTRODUCES ‘SAVE OUR SHRIMPERS ACT’ IN THE SENATE

Introduced bill to bar federal funds from supporting foreign shrimp farms.

“America’s shrimpers are tough and don’t mind fair competition, but for too long they’ve had to battle heavily subsidized foreign producers operating on an unfair playing field. The fact that U.S. dollars are aiding and abetting that unfair competition is appalling and must come to an end”

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Young, Colleagues Urge Administration to Investigate Foreign Pharmaceutical Price Controls

Urged administration to investigate foreign pharmaceutical price controls via Section 301.

“We are concerned that Germany, Japan, and other high-income countries continue to maintain policies inconsistent with the Administration’s objective that U.S. trading partners pay their fair share for pharmaceutical innovation.”

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Capito cosponsors bill to expand Historic Tax Credit access

Cosponsored bill to expand Historic Tax Credit access for small and rural projects.

“West Virginia has such wonderful history and architecture, and we’ve seen successful investments across our state through the revitalization of historic properties for new businesses or apartments.”

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U.S. Army contracts with General Atomics for long-range maneuvering projectile program

Praised Army contract with General Atomics for advanced munitions program in Mississippi.

“Thank you to the Army for saying yes to next-generations munitions and yes to Mississippi defense expertise.”

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Mississippi senators urge USDA to protect catfish from viruses

Urged USDA to protect farm-raised catfish from two contagious viruses.

“The domestic catfish industry is a critical component of the broader agriculture economy in the Southeast, supporting rural economies, providing jobs, and contributing to national food security. An outbreak of a highly pathogenic virus such as YcCV or CCV could have devastating economic and ecological consequences”

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WICKER, HYDE-SMITH SEEK USDA ACTION TO PROTECT U.S. FARM-RAISED CATFISH FROM HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS VIRUSES

Urged USDA to protect farm-raised catfish from two contagious viruses.

“The domestic catfish industry is a critical component of the broader agriculture economy in the Southeast, supporting rural economies, providing jobs, and contributing to national food security. An outbreak of a highly pathogenic virus such as YcCV or CCV could have devastating economic and ecological consequences”

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Anti-Trafficking Activist Helps Usher Something Beautiful From Something Broken

Highlighted anti-trafficking activist's work helping human trafficking survivors.

“They were crossing with coyotes, children without any parents, and the police and the guards and the Border Patrol couldn’t do anything because there was no control at all in the borders”

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HYDE-SMITH HELPS INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION BILL

Introduced bipartisan bill to expand agricultural workforce training at community colleges.

“Community colleges are often the front door to careers in agriculture, especially in rural states like Mississippi with an extensive community college system. This bill gives those institutions access to resources that are too often out of reach.”

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