As are you likely aware, this morning House Democrats unfortunately passed their massive socialist spending bill. This multi-trillion-dollar tax and spend spree could not come at a worse time, as inflation rages on and our national supply chain continues to suffer the consequences of President Biden’s policies. As I’ve said for months, I fear this bill will devastate our economy and put us on a path toward more government control over our daily lives and government dependence for millions more Americans.

To read my full statement on this package and what it contains, please click here: https://luetkemeyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=400617. While the bill has passed the House, that doesn’t necessarily mean it will become law. I will continue fighting this proposal and urge my Senate colleagues not to make the same disastrous mistake Democrats in the House just made under Speaker Pelosi’s leadership.

Here in Missouri, temperatures are cooling down, leaves have changed, and the excitement of the holiday season is in the air. After the ups and downs of the last almost two years and life getting back to normal in our state, the extra degree of enthusiasm for the holiday season this year is palpable. Decorations are going up earlier, gatherings with loved ones are getting bigger and more frequent, and people are enjoying one another’s company that much more. One of the silver linings to the pandemic was the deepening in appreciation of being together with friends, family and neighbors we may not have seen, especially during this time of year.

I know that this Thanksgiving is going to be trying for many families with the nationwide inflation and supply chain issues. In what should be the most cheerful time of the year, there has been warranted stress and frustration with everything from how much a turkey costs this year, to not being able to get the right ingredients for your Thanksgiving specialty, to how expensive the gas will be to get to your loved ones. While the events happening in Washington, D.C. make this an uphill battle, please know that I share in your frustration, and I am doing everything I can to find solutions that ease this burden on American families and businesses.

It’s typically not the first headline you read or a topic on social media, but it is important that we remember that there is much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving. The pandemic is largely in our rear-view mirror, with children back in school and businesses reinvigorating our communities. Families who may have been separated last year will be able to share this time together. And we are incredibly blessed to live in greatest country in the world thanks to our military and veterans - many of whom will be sacrificing Thanksgiving with their families to serve our country and keep us safe. 

Going into Thanksgiving I hope you are able to gather with family and friends around a table to count your blessings and reflect on all there is to be thankful for this year. I’m looking forward to spending time with Jackie, my children, and grandchildren for one of my favorite meals of the year. I’m especially excited about Jackie’s famous sweet potato casserole, hopefully followed by some football. From my family to yours, I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving!