Cape News

Rep. Jason Smith, who has represented Missouri’s 8th district in the U.S. Congress since 2013, recently shared a series of statements on social media regarding legislative efforts to support economic growth and distressed communities. Smith, who succeeded Jo Ann Emerson and previously served in the Missouri House of Representatives, highlighted provisions within what he calls "The One, Big, Beautiful Bill."

On July 10, 2025, Smith stated that "Improvements to the Opportunity Zone (OZ) program, which encourages greater investment in distressed communities, within The One, Big, Beautiful Bill will result in more investments targeted to parts of rural America and greater transparency in the successes of the program."

Later that evening, Smith emphasized the broader goals of the legislation by posting "The One, Big, Beautiful Bill is how we bring back a strong, growing, American economy." This statement reflects his focus on nationwide economic recovery.

In a subsequent post on July 10, Smith further addressed the role of Opportunity Zones by stating "Opportunity Zones are an innovative way to help working class families and the communities they call home all across this country. Extending this program in The One, Big, Beautiful Bill ensures even more small towns and communities can benefit from this economic driver."

Smith was born in St. Louis in 1980 and currently resides in Salem. He holds a BS from the University of Missouri (2001) and a JD from Oklahoma City University (2004).

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