U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Raymore) is one of 72 House Republicans to vote no on the bill to suspend the nation’s debt limit through January 2025. Congressman Alford joined us live on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri” this morning, telling listeners that he will never vote for what Washington wants, but will always vote for what residents in west-central Missouri’s fourth district want. Congressman Alford says his constituents were opposed to the bill by an 8-1 margin, based on contacts with his office. He also discussed details of a 15-minute phone call between him and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California) this week, and says Speaker McCarthy has told him three different times in his office to vote his district first. Congressman Alford remains a supporter of the Speaker. Congressman Alford’s district includes parts of Columbia, Centralia, Sedalia and Warrensburg:
(AUDIO): U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Raymore) discusses debt ceiling, AM radio issues and new Columbia district office on “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”
President Joe Biden (D) tweeted yesterday that “MAGA House Republicans are threatening a default that that could cost us millions of jobs and trigger a recession,” while they protect tax breaks for the wealthy and corporations. U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Raymore) says President Biden is the one threatening default, saying the House passed a debt ceiling raise. President Biden and U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-California) will meet this afternoon on the debt ceiling, ahead of the deadline. Congressman Alford spoke about the issue in detail this morning on 939 the Eagle’s “Wake Up Mid-Missouri”. His district includes part of Columbia as well as Hallsville, Sedalia, Clinton, Fort Leonard Wood and Waynesville. He also supports bipartisan efforts to keep AM radio in new cars, noting the numerous rural stations in his 24-county west-central Missouri district. Congressman Alford says AM radio is critical for rural Missouri news and severe weather coverage. He also says a new Columbia district office will open this summer:
Columbia’s city council gives green light to new park in northeast Columbia
A check for $200,000 from JBS’s “Hometown Strong Initiative” and Swift Prepared Foods will pay half of the cost of developing a park in one of Columbia’s poorest neighborhoods.
Whitegate park will be developed near Towne Drive and Whitegate, which is near Paris road and it’s also near Clark lane and I-70. Swift executives were in Columbia Monday evening to make the check presentation to the city council, which accepted the check and approved the park proposal. It will include a new playground, shelter, basketball court, handball court and lighting.
The voter-approved 2021 Columbia park sales tax is also providing funding for the 400-thousand dollar project.
Whitegate park will be near Columbia Insurance Group and the Reentry Opportunity Center. Construction is expected to begin this summer, with completion expected in the spring of 2025.
U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Raymore), who represents northern Columbia and Boone County on Capitol Hill, has predicted that the new Swift Foods plant will help Columbia and will help feed families.
(AUDIO): Missouri Congressman Alford hopeful about this year’s farm bill
A west-central Missouri congressman is hopeful Congress passes a good farm bill this year.
Every five years, Congress is expected to pass the “farm bill,” which sets national agriculture, nutrition and conservation policy. U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-Raymore) serves on the House Agriculture Committee. His district includes part of Columbia, Centralia, Hallsville and Sedalia.
“We are trying to make sure with the farm bill that we are getting our children fed, that our farmers are secure and that we are good stewards with God’s creation,” Alford says.
Child nutrition has traditionally been a bipartisan issue on Capitol Hill, dating back to the days of former U.S. Sen. Jack Danforth (R) and former U.S. Reps. Jerry Litton (D-Chillicothe), Ike Skelton (D-Lexington) Harold Volkmer (D-Hannibal). Litton, Skelton and Volkmer have since passed away. Congressman Litton died in the 1976 plane crash in Chillicothe, the night he won Missouri’s Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate.
Congressman Alford, whose sprawling district includes the Missouri State Fairgrounds, says Missouri farmers feed the world. He spoke to 939 the Eagle at the recent ribbon-cutting for Columbia’s massive Swift Foods plant.
(AUDIO) Columbia’s mayor says Swift Foods’ opening on Route B is huge
A west-central Missouri congressman who represents part of Columbia and Boone County predicts the new Swift Foods plant will help Columbia and will help feed families.
U.S. Mark Alford (R-Raymore), who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, notes the $200-million plant was built on a former field on Route B.
“You could call this not the field of dreams but the field of meals. People are going to be able to eat quality charcuterie and Italian meats from everything that’s produced here, bringing in jobs, helping the fourth congressional district, the great state of Missouri and Columbia grow,” Alford says.
Congressman Alford joined Missouri Governor Mike Parson, Boone County Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick and others at the bipartisan ribbon-cutting ceremony. The plant is still hiring employees, and the average salary is more than $50,000.
Governor Parson says the opening of Swift Foods in Columbia shows Missouri is open for business. The governor tells 939 the Eagle that more companies want to invest in the Show-Me State.
“And I think these facilities are just a huge driver in our economy, and just proves that we’re open for business. We’re expanding, our economy is good, it’s a good place to do business. And I think you’re heard those comments up there from the CEO’s and the companies. That’s why they’re here,” Parson says.
The governor says Swift has a wonderful facility and that it’s a great time for Columbia’s growth. The 325,000 square feet plant is near Como Smoke and Fire on Route B. Mayor Barbara Buffaloe says the plant’s opening is huge for Columbia, and will provide living wage jobs.
“We know we have low unemployment. So we know this is an area in our community where we have a lot of people that want to come to Columbia. So this will help us grow Columbia, getting more people here seeking these good-paying jobs,” Buffaloe says.