Senator Roy Blunt

I’m very proud of all who took their oath yesterday to become some of our newest United States citizens. It was an honor to witness.

Delivering remarks to some of our country’s newest citizens at the naturalization ceremony in Cape Girardeau was a great way to spend part of Independence Day. Congratulations to all who were sworn in as United States Citizens, including Southeast Missouri State University President Dr. Carlos Vargas-Aburto.

As we celebrate our nation’s independence by spending time with families and loved ones, I hope you’ll take a moment and join me in saying “thank you” to our brave men and women in uniform who fight tirelessly and selflessly for the freedoms we enjoy. We are always grateful to them and their families. From my family to yours, I wish you a happy and safe ‪#‎FourthofJuly‬. ‪#‎Happy240th‬

Walking in the VP Parade's Fourth of July parade this morning in St. Louis was a great way to kick off Independence Day weekend. Thank you all for having me. ‪#‎FourthofJuly‬

Enjoyed talking with Missouri Institute of Mental Health Director Dr. Robert Paul, Chancellor Tom George from University of Missouri - St. Louis, and researchers in St. Louis about prioritizing resources for medical research and expanding access to mental and behavioral health services.

The Delta Queen is a national treasure, and I’m proud that it’s found a home port in Kimmswick. I’m also glad to work with Senator McCaskill on a bill to help restore the Delta Queen to its full operation, which will allow more Americans to experience its history, as well as bring jobs and tourism to the greater St. Louis area. Our bill was approved by committee today, and I hope all of our colleagues will support it when it comes before the Senate.

(photo credit: Joseph Sohm / Shutterstock.com)

Our nation’s veterans have sacrificed too much for this country to have their health care and benefits blocked by Democrats’ political posturing. The conference agreement Democrats voted against today provides record funding for veterans. It includes support for VA programs to improve access to care, support additional health services, and help homeless veterans, as well as funding to enhance housing for our service members and their families. It also provides critical funding for Missouri defense and intel priorities, including the new NGA West headquarters in St. Louis and the construction of a new fire station at Ft. Leonard Wood. I urge Senate Democrats to reconsider their opposition, and honor the commitments we’ve made to our military families and all those who have served.

No mother should have to fear for the health of their unborn child, but that’s the reality that thousands of women are facing because of the ‪#‎Zika‬ epidemic. More than a month ago, the Senate voted to provide $1.1 billion to support initiatives focused on the prevention, control, and treatment of the Zika virus. Every Senate Democrat supported that level of funding then, yet today Senate Democrats reversed course, voting to block this emergency funding. This is a public health emergency – not a political opportunity. Senate Republicans will keep fighting to provide the resources needed to keep Americans safe, and I urge Democrats to stop their obstruction and work with us to address this devastating epidemic.

I enjoyed talking with students, school administrators, and educators this morning at Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield. As Chairman of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, I’m proud to have fought to restore year-round Pell Grants in the committee-passed funding bill. Year-round Pell will help students stay enrolled in college and graduate faster, and give non-traditional students more flexibility. Education is important and I’m glad these efforts will help make college more affordable for more Missouri students.

Great to meet with Gladney Center for Adoption members. Thank you all for coming by, and thank you for what you do to help children find their forever homes.

Proud of MO’s Fort Leonard Wood Region for receiving the Association of Defense Communities's Great American Defense Community award. Congratulations!

Enjoyed speaking at the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute Foster Youth Luncheon last week. Very proud of these bright young men and women.

Today’s Supreme Court decision blocking President Obama’s executive action on ‪#‎immigration‬ confirms that the president was right when he said at least 22 times that he doesn’t have the authority to unilaterally take action on immigration. We are a nation of laws, and I’ll continue working to stop the president’s executive overreach.

As Co-Chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, I was glad to help host a panel in the Senate on youth mentoring in law enforcement. Always enjoy showing off the great work that Donald Northcross, Darron Story, and all of those involved with OK Program do to help build relationships between law enforcement and young men and women in the Kansas City community.

Restoring year-round Pell Grants helps more students graduate on time, enter the workforce earlier, and graduate with less student debt. I enjoyed talking with students, faculty, and university president Dr. Steve Kurtz at Mineral Area College this weekend in Park Hills. I appreciate you all for having me, and I’ll keep working to help make college more affordable for more Missouri students.

This weekend, I visited with students at Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis to hear about the difference Pell Grants make for Missouri students. I’m glad to have helped lead efforts in the Senate to restore year-round ‪#‎PellGrants‬. Thank you to Harris-Stowe State University President Dr. Dwaun Warmack, and to the students and faculty at HSSU for having me.

We face more threats coming from more directions than ever before, and keeping Americans safe is our top priority. Today, I voted in favor of the SHIELD Act. This legislation would keep guns out of the hands of terrorists, and enhance law enforcement’s ability to take them into custody to prevent an attack, while protecting Americans’ Constitutional rights.

I’ve had the privilege of meeting with and hearing stories from survivors, advocates, medical researchers, and families who have lost loved ones throughout our state. We need to eliminate things that aren’t working and prioritize health research that benefits all. I’m proud to have led efforts to increase our commitment to biomedical research, and I’ll continue my work to advance progress toward new, life-saving cures.