rural Missouri Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Ricky Dana for US House

My Opponent Votes Against Missouri’s Farms—Again and Again

Illustration of a politician in a suit shaking hands with a businessman holding a dollar-sign briefcase, while two angry farmers in overalls stand in the background, highlighting the disconnect between political deals and rural concerns.

Another week in Washington—and another round of votes that hurt the families who feed America.

The man sitting in Missouri’s 4th District seat wasn’t born here. He wasn’t raised here. He built his career in city newsrooms and now lives in suburban Lake Winnebago, far from any soybean field or cattle ranch. And every time he votes, that becomes painfully clear.

Here’s what he supported this week:

🎯 H.R. 4016 — Defense Spending Over Everything
He voted YES to give over $831 billion to the Pentagon—while family farms struggle, rural clinics close, and roads crumble across our counties. That money could have built broadband. Could have supported ag tech. Could have kept our hospitals staffed. But no—it went to war machines and defense contractors.

🎯 H.R. 3351 — Big Business Wrapped in “Small Business” Packaging
This bill claims to help small businesses, but the fine print gives a leg up to chain franchises and financial giants. It won’t help the feed store in Cole Camp or the mechanic in Warsaw. It helps the banks, not the barn.

🎯 H.R. 3095 — ZIP Code Nonsense Instead of Real Help
Rural families need mail service, not ZIP code reshuffles. This does nothing to help delivery delays, carrier shortages, or crumbling post offices across rural Missouri. Just another distraction from real problems.

🎯 H.R. 1919 — Blocking Innovation in Rural Finance
This vote stops modernization of digital payments—tools that could help farmers sell direct, access credit, and grow their markets. It’s all fear-mongering and no solutions.

🎯 H.Res. 590 — Budget Tricks That Cut Us Out
This procedural vote paves the way for budget rescissions. Translation: less funding for education, rural health clinics, and agricultural research. It’s a backdoor way to shortchange us again.

And here’s the truth:

He didn’t grow up working the land.
He’s never pulled a calf, hauled hay, or stood at a kitchen table balancing feed bills.
He’s not from here—and he doesn’t vote like he understands those of us who are.

I was raised in Missouri’s heartland. I worked with farm families across the state. I know what matters to us—and it’s not lobbyist-driven votes and suburban priorities.

We need a representative who fights for farm families, not big donors.
Who understands rural life because they’ve lived it.
And who’s ready to make Washington work for us—not the other way around.

Source Links:
https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025214
https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025213
https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025212
https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2025203
https://alford.house.gov/voterecord/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Alford
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/SAP-HR1919.pdf

July 24, 2025

The Real Record: Eric Schmitt’s Votes Against Rural Missouri

Missouri voters deserve leaders who put rural communities first. But U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt has repeatedly sided with special interests over the needs of Missouri’s small towns and farms.

A watercolor illustration of a stern-looking man in a dark suit and red tie standing with arms crossed in front of a crumbling rural hospital. The hospital’s brick walls are partially collapsed, with a broken “HOSPITAL” sign above the entrance. A rusting radio broadcast tower stands in the background, and a wooden fence separates the man from the ruins, symbolizing detachment from the healthcare crisis in rural communities.

Cuts to Medicaid Provider Taxes

In June 2025, Schmitt voted “Yes” on the budget reconciliation bill that caps medical provider taxes at 3.5%. That cap threatens to cut hundreds of millions from Missouri hospitals, especially in rural areas that rely on Medicaid reimbursements.
Local healthcare leaders warn that lowering provider taxes makes it harder for rural hospitals to cover costs—putting emergency care out of reach for many Missourians.

Stripping Funds from Rural Communities

In July 2025, Schmitt voted for the rescissions package that clawed back over $1 billion from public broadcasting and cut foreign aid. That move hits small-town PBS and NPR stations—and the farms and families they serve—hardest.
These cuts fund big-city media critics, not rural Missouri schools, hospitals, or broadband projects that depend on community TV and radio grants.

Why It Matters

Dozens of rural Missouri counties already lack a hospital.
Local radio and TV are critical for weather alerts, farm news, and school closings.
Missourians can’t wait years for cuts to be undone or for distant donors to care.

About Me: Ricky Dana

I was born in Waverly and grew up in Marshall, Missouri. I’ve worked the land, raised horses, and served rural Missouri through my work with the Lincoln University College of Agriculture. I’ve spent my career helping farm families, expanding healthcare access, and supporting public outreach in our rural communities.

Here’s what I’m fighting for:

Expand Medicaid now to keep rural hospitals open and staffed
Protect public broadcasting that serves our farms, schools, and small towns
Bring high-speed internet and reliable healthcare to every county in Missouri
Write policy based on Missouri values—not orders from D.C. lobbyists

I’m not funded by billionaires or coastal donors—I’m backed by you. And I’ll always put Missouri first.

Sources

STLPR: Medical provider tax plan in limbo https://www.stlpr.org/…/medical-provider-tax-plan-in-limbo
KCUR: Missouri senators give crucial votes to pass Trump’s tax bill https://www.kcur.org/…/big-beautiful-bill-medicaid-cuts-hawley-schmitt-missouri
STLPR: Illinois and Missouri senators split over rescission legislation https://www.stlpr.org/…/split-over-clawing-back-public-broadcasting-foreign-aid-funds

July 20, 2025

Putting Rural Missouri First: A Plan for Missouri’s 4th District

Today’s Vote and My Commitment

My opponent just voted for the Rescissions Act of 2025 in the House on July 18, 2025—cutting $7.9 billion in foreign aid and $1.1 billion from public broadcasting (NPR/PBS) for a total of $9 billion. Full vote details (Roll Call Vote 2025203).

I am one of you, born and raised here in rural Missouri, and I will always fight for all Missourians, especially our farm families and small towns.

black and white shot of a wooden barn — Photo by Tatiana Zakharova on Pexels.com

Expanding Markets for Missouri Farmers

I already have trade-agreement plans in progress to move more of Missouri’s cash crops and livestock to buyers at home and abroad. In 2023, Missouri was the 8th-largest agricultural exporter, shipping $5.6 billion in farm goods overseas (USTR), and our agriculture industry is a $93.7 billion engine that employs nearly 460,000 people (MO Dept of Ag).

With smarter deals, we can grow that number—bringing billions more back into our rural communities.

Tax Relief for Family Farms

I will introduce legislation to remove all federal income tax on family-farm sales of cash crops, garden vegetables, and livestock. Under Article I, Section 8, Congress has the power to levy and adjust taxes, and the 16th Amendment allows income taxes on any source of income. This change keeps more money in local pockets for equipment, seed, and hiring.

To ease local property-tax burdens, I will create a production-based tax credit that farms can apply against their county and municipal property and real estate taxes.

Property Tax Credits for Farm Families

Our farm families feed Missouri—and the world. To support them, I’ll champion legislation for production-based property tax credits. Farms that meet certain output levels can claim credits against their county and local property and real estate taxes.

Credit Amount: Up to 25% of county/local property tax paid on agricultural land.
Eligibility: Producing at least 1,000 bushels of grain (or equivalent livestock output) annually.
Example Benefit: A 200-acre farm paying $60 / acre ($12,000/year) could receive up to $3,000 in credits annually.

These credits deliver immediate relief—keeping farms competitive, family-owned, and thriving.

Improving Rural Health Care

Our district is incredibly lean on health services—all but seven Missouri counties have shortages of primary care providers, and 18 rural hospitals have closed since 2014 (The Beacon News).

Urgent Care Clinics: Open 5 new offices across MO-4. Startup cost ~$850,000–$1 million each (Experity Health).
Mobile Clinics: Deploy 10 rotating units with Missouri extension offices, community centers, and churches. Startup ~$150,000–$200,000 each; annual operating ~$275,000 (Chief Healthcare Exec; Mobile Health Map).

Building Infrastructure & Broadband

We’ll repair rural roads and bridges so farmers can get goods to market faster. We’ll also subsidize high-speed internet so families can do primary-care checkups online when clinics aren’t nearby.

MO-4 has ~788,949 people (Census Reporter), about 316,000 households. If 75% (~237,000) need service at $75/month, that runs ~$213 million/year.

Funding the Plan

We’ll pay for these initiatives by:

Closing the carried-interest loophole and raising the top marginal rate on incomes over $5 million—part of the “Buffett Rule,” which analysts estimate could raise about $36.7 billion per year nationwide (Wikipedia).
Enacting a 1 percentage-point increase in the corporate income tax rate, which could generate approximately $14 billion per year over the next decade (https://www.crfb.org/blogs/cbos-revenue-savings-options?utm_source=chatgpt.com).
Redirecting unused federal relief funds and unspent infrastructure monies to jump-start clinic construction and broadband build-out.

Even setting aside 0.5% of that annual revenue—roughly $250 million—would cover the yearly cost of rural health care, broadband subsidies, and infrastructure projects in Missouri’s 4th District.

Rough Cost Estimate for MO-4

Initiative	Quantity	Unit Cost	Initial Cost	Annual Cost
Urgent Care Clinics	5	~$1 million each	~$5 million	Break-even in ~2 years
Mobile Clinics	10	$150K–$200K each	~$1.5 million	~$2.75 million
Broadband Subsidy	237,000 households	$75/month	N/A	~$213 million

All figures approximate; final costs depend on clinic size, subsidy levels, and rollout pace.

Conclusion

Rural Missouri deserved an advocate who lives here, farmed here, and raised horses here. I am one of you, and I will fight every day to:

Bring billions into our economy through trade-agreement legislation that opens new markets for our cash crops and livestock.
Cut federal income taxes on family-farm sales and create production-based property tax credits with the Family Farm Tax Relief Act.
Expand health care across MO-4 by funding new urgent care clinics and rotating mobile units under the Rural Health Care Expansion Act.
Build modern infrastructure and broadband access with the Rural Infrastructure & Connectivity Act.

Together, we kept Missouri’s heartland strong.

July 19, 2025

Tariffs, Lost Contracts, and the Real Cost on Our Tables

Fresh vegetables at a local market, including red tomatoes, green cabbage, white onions, cucumbers, carrots, yellow squash, and zucchini, all neatly arranged in rows. — Locally grown produce at a Missouri farmers market – fresh, safe, and close to home.

I live in a small farming community in Missouri. Lately, I’ve seen prices shoot up at the grocery store—and I’m not alone. My neighbors feel it too. Tariffs pushed by the Trump administration have made it harder to grow food, ship it, or sell it for a fair price.

What Farmers Are Saying

Many Missouri farmers are frustrated. One corn grower north of Kansas City said the rules keep changing, so it’s hard to plan. Things like fertilizer, seeds, and supplies now cost more because of these trade policies.
Source: American Farmland Owner

Deals Lost to Other Countries

China used to be one of the biggest buyers of U.S. farm products. But not anymore. One Missouri farmer lost a multimillion-dollar deal with a buyer in China. The buyer backed out because of tariffs. China also blocked soybeans and other crops from U.S. companies.
Sources:

Can Farmers Even Break Even?

Many can’t. Costs for fertilizer and fuel are way up. Interest rates are high too. At the same time, prices for crops like soybeans have dropped by a third. That makes it harder for farmers to make ends meet.
Source: Missouri Independent

Food Prices and Safety Concerns

Families are paying more at the store. Meats, eggs, and other basics have gone up over 5% in the past year. On top of that, there have been many food safety warnings. The CDC is tracking at least 17 outbreaks of foodborne illness—mostly from Salmonella. And in many cases, we’re not even told what brand is responsible.
Sources:

Farm to Table Is the Way Forward

We should be able to find fresh, local food at local stores. Why are our stores filled with food that traveled 1,000 miles, while nearby growers struggle to sell what they raise? I’d trust beef, eggs, or vegetables from my neighbors before something shipped in from another country.

Local food means fresher meals, fewer safety risks, and less dependence on big corporations. It’s better for our families, our health, and our economy.

July 17, 2025

Justice Hijacked: How the Supreme Court Is Fueling Trump’s Authoritarian Power Grab, and how it affects Missourians…

Introduction

Over the past few weeks, the Supreme Court has made decisions that help Donald Trump’s administration strengthen executive power. In multiple key cases, six conservative justices have outvoted the three liberals, weakening courts’ ability to check the president. Many of these rulings came in one-page orders without full explanations, hiding how and why the court sided with the White House. When judges stack power on one side, our system of checks and balances breaks down and the rule of law erodes .

“A crumbling red-brick school building with broken windows and a collapsed roof. In front, a sign reads ‘CLOSED DUE TO FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS.’ Four teachers—two women and two men—walk away in formal clothing, carrying briefcases and looking solemn, against a cloudy sky and barren trees.

Education Department Ruling

On July 14, 2025, the Supreme Court cleared the way for President Trump to cut nearly half of the Education Department’s staff. A lower court judge had blocked Trump’s plan to fire about 1,400 workers and move functions like student loans and special education to other agencies. By lifting that block, the court let Trump reshape a cabinet agency without Congress’s approval. Critics warn that students with low incomes or special needs could lose vital support if these duties leave the department .

What about Missouri Schools?

This change affects about 892,246 public school students in Missouri (fall 2023) and could leave only about 880,200 by fall 2025. With fewer workers, the department will struggle to enforce civil-rights rules or run programs like Title I funding, special education, and student loan help. Families in both rural and city areas may lose key support, making schools less fair and hurting Missouri students now and in the years ahead

Blocking Nationwide Injunctions and Birthright Citizenship

On June 27, 2025, the Court used a 6–3 vote to limit judges’ power to block Trump’s policies nationwide. In the birthright citizenship case, it ruled that judges can only protect the people who sue, not everyone in the country. That halted lower court orders that had paused Trump’s executive order ending citizenship for babies born to non-citizen parents. The decision did not rule on the policy’s legality, only on who can block it, effectively letting Trump push forward until more courts weigh in .

Other Key Cases

This term, the Supreme Court also backed other Trump moves. It let his administration resume deporting migrants to third countries without a hearing on harm. It upheld a ban on transgender people serving in the military. It allowed the government to freeze or cut payments to groups that carry out federal work. In each case, conservatives used a fast-track “shadow docket” process, leaving people with fewer legal options and speeding up the president’s agenda .

Undermining Congressional Power

The Court has also let Trump bypass rules set by Congress for independent agencies. It allowed him to fire two Democratic labor board members and paused a judge’s order to reinstate three Consumer Product Safety Commission officials. These watchdog agencies were created by lawmakers to protect the public. By siding with the president, the Court weakens Congress’s power to set terms and duties of these officials, giving the White House more control over agencies meant to stand guard over our rights .

Why This Matters

These rulings reshape Washington’s balance of power. By lifting blocks and narrowing who can challenge policies, the Court hands more power to the president and sidelines Congress. This breaks the Constitution’s plan for three branches to share authority. Justice Sonia Sotomayor called the birthright decision a “travesty for the rule of law.” Legal experts warn that deciding by bare-majority orders without transparency erodes trust in all branches of government .

Public Support for Reform

Many Americans see the danger and want change. A recent Pew Research Center survey found 87% of adults favor term limits for members of Congress, and nearly 80% support age or term limits for Supreme Court justices. This broad agreement crosses party lines and shows voters know rules on service length help keep democracy healthy. Reforming term rules for judges and lawmakers is key to restoring balance and trust in government .

Conclusion and Possible Outcomes

If Supreme Court justices decide cases based on personal views instead of the Constitution, we risk:

Unchecked Power: The presidency could act without real limits.
Weakened Laws: Agencies and programs may be dismantled without Congress.
Loss of Trust: When courts side with power, people stop believing in justice.
Risk of Anarchy: With no faith in the system, some may break rules, leading to chaos.

Only 35% of Americans say they trust the judicial system, the lowest level ever recorded . To protect our republic, we must restore judges who follow the Constitution, not personal views. We need term limits for Supreme Court justices and all elected officials. This will help keep power balanced and ensure our courts serve the people — not one man’s power grab.

Support Our Campaign

Help restore checks and balances. Get involved today!

Source List

Reuters: US Supreme Court clears way for Trump to gut Education Department
Reuters: Trump victorious again as US Supreme Court wraps up its term
Reuters: Supreme Court in birthright case limits judges’ power to block presidential policies
Reuters: Trump asks Supreme Court to allow removal of Consumer Product Safety Commission commissioners
AP News: How Trump plans to dismantle the Education Department after Supreme Court ruling
Pew Research Center: How Americans view proposals to change the political system
Washington Post: Poll: Americans support Supreme Court term limits, oppose more justices
The Guardian: Only 35% of Americans trust the judicial system

Sources

US Supreme Court clears way for Trump to gut Education Department , Reuters, July 14, 2025.
Trump victorious again as US Supreme Court wraps up its term , Reuters, June 28, 2025.
Supreme Court in birthright case limits judges’ power to block presidential policies , Reuters, June 27, 2025.
Trump asks Supreme Court to allow removal of Consumer Product Safety Commission commissioners , Reuters, July 2, 2025.
How Trump plans to dismantle the Education Department after Supreme Court ruling , Associated Press, July 14, 2025.
How Americans view proposals to change the political system , Pew Research Center, September 19, 2023.
Poll: Americans favor Supreme Court term limits, oppose more justices , The Washington Post, September 13, 2024.
Only 35% of Americans trust the US judicial system , The Guardian, December 21, 2024.
US Supreme Court clears way for Trump to gut Education Department , Reuters, July 14, 2025.
Enrollment in public elementary and secondary schools, by region, state, and jurisdiction: Missouri – Fall 2023 and projections through 2025 , NCES Digest of Education Statistics, Table 203.20.

July 15, 2025

Ricky Dana: Standing Up for Rural Missouri: A Common Sense Rural Candidate

While I am running as a Democrat, I want to speak honestly and respectfully: I am not running as part of the Mainstream Missouri Democratic Party. I’m running as a Common Sense Rural Democrat—grounded in the values, concerns, and daily realities of rural Missouri.

A rustic, earth-tone campaign poster showing a stylized rural landscape in shades of orange and beige. At the top, large, bold text reads “MISSOURI GROWN CANDIDATE.” Below, rolling farm fields stretch toward a silhouetted barn with a silo and windmill on the left and a small town skyline with houses and a church steeple on the right, all set against a textured sky.

My priorities are shaped by the lived experiences of the people in places like:

Marshall (Saline County)
Sedalia (Pettis County)
El Dorado Springs (Cedar County)
Warsaw (Benton County)
Lamar (Barton County)
Butler (Bates County)
Osceola (St. Clair County)
Clinton (Henry County)
Hermitage (Hickory County)
— as well as other rural communities, cities, and towns across our district that face the same challenges and deserve to be heard.

I have great respect for the work many in the state party are doing, but their platform is primarily shaped by urban and suburban priorities. That approach doesn’t fully reflect the specific needs of our rural communities and farm towns—places where roads, schools, hospitals, and family farms are the backbone of daily life.

At times, I may sound more like an independent voice—and in many ways, I am. But I am squarely focused on one thing: serving the people of Missouri’s 4th District, regardless of party or political opinion. I don’t answer to a political machine or an urban party platform—I answer to the people who live, work, and raise families right here in rural Missouri.

I’m a Missouri Grown Candidate—raised here, rooted here, and running to represent all Missourians with honesty, fairness, and common sense.

Volunteer: https://rickydana.org

Donate: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ricky-dana-for-congress

#Missouri #Missouri4 #MO4 #RickyDana

July 15, 2025

Second Trump Term & Threats to Our Democracy (Jan–Jul 2025)

Quick Summary

Since January 2025, President Trump has used his power to weaken checks on himself, change rules to make voting harder, fill top jobs with loyal but unqualified allies, pressure the Justice Department, and attack the press—moves that cut education jobs, threaten fair elections, and let politics override honest law enforcement, all of which can hurt small towns and farm families in rural Missouri. (Full article about a 5 minute read)

black and white protest with multiple signs — Photo by Mariya B. on Pexels.com

What You Need to Know

Since January 2025, President Trump has taken actions that weaken our democratic system. This report explains what he has done and why it matters, especially for rural Missourians.

1. Taking More Control in Washington

– New Executive Orders: Trump signed many orders giving the White House more power over federal agencies. This means fewer checks by Congress or judges.

– “Unitary Executive” Idea: He believes the president should control all parts of the government. Most presidents do not go this far.

– Court Rulings: The Supreme Court allowed some of these orders, like cutting thousands of Education Department jobs (Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-supreme-court-clears-way-trump-gut-education-department-2025-07-14/).

2. Changing Election Rules

– Birthright Citizenship: Trump tried an executive order to end automatic citizenship for babies born in the U.S. Courts stopped it.

– New Voter Restrictions: He signed an order requiring extra ID for voter registration and threatened to cut funding to states if they handle mail ballots too flexibly.

– Threats to Local Control: He talked about sending federal agents to run cities like New York or Washington, D.C.

3. Mixing Politics and Law Enforcement

– Justice Department Shake-Up: Many experienced lawyers quit because they felt pressured to defend policies that break the law (The Daily Beast: https://www.thedailybeast.com/exhausted-doj-team-defending-trump-in-court-hit-by-mass-exodus/).

– January 6 Pardons: Trump quickly pardoned about 1,500 people, many violent, involved in the Capitol attack.

– New FBI Leaders: He picked close allies for top jobs, replacing career agents who work independently.

4. Targeting Critics and the Media

– Limiting Press Access: Some reporters were blocked from White House briefings.

– Media Investigations: The Federal Communications Commission opened probes into outlets like NPR and PBS.

– Threats to Lawyers: The Justice Department warned law firms they could lose government work or security clearances if they sue the administration.

5. Who Is Helping?

Name	Role	Action
Pam Bondi	Attorney General	Disbanded FBI task forces
Kash Patel	FBI Director	Replaced independent agents
Dan Bongino	Deputy FBI Director	Appointed after pardons
Ed Martin	Acting U.S. Attorney (DC)	Pulled prosecutors from Jan. 6 cases
Brendan Carr	FCC Chair	Launched “news distortion” investigations

6. Why This Matters to Rural Missouri

– Local Schools: Cutting Education Department jobs can hurt programs that support rural schools.

– Voting Access: New ID rules and mail ballot threats can make it harder for farm families to vote.

Fair Treatment: When the DOJ changes leaders for politics, it can ignore crimes that affect rural communities, like drug trafficking or farm fraud.

7. Unqualified Cabinet Picks

Since January 2025, President Trump has filled key posts with former Fox News personalities who lacked the usual qualifications. For example, he tapped Pete Hegseth—a Fox & Friends host with no high-level military or Pentagon experience—as Secretary of Defense, even though Senator Thom Tillis warned he was “out of his depth” managing the Pentagon’s complex operations. Trump also chose Dan Bongino—a conservative podcaster and ex-Secret Service agent who’s never served in the FBI—as Deputy FBI Director, a role normally held by career agents. Reuters called the move “a slap in the face” to bureau professionals and noted Bongino’s lack of any FBI background. These picks show a preference for media loyalty over proven public-service expertise.

Conclusion

Trump’s actions since January 2025 show a clear pattern: he is using his power to weaken democratic safeguards. This slow shift toward more control at the top can become dangerous for everyday Americans, especially in rural areas that rely on fair rules and strong local voices.

References

US Supreme Court clears way for Trump to gut Education Department, Reuters, July 14, 2025: https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-supreme-court-clears-way-trump-gut-education-department-2025-07-14/
DOJ Lawyers Quit in Droves After Being Ordered to Defend Trump, The Daily Beast: https://www.thedailybeast.com/exhausted-doj-team-defending-trump-in-court-hit-by-mass-exodus/
What Is a Constitutional Crisis and Are We in One Under the Second Trump Administration?, Teen Vogue: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/what-is-a-constitutional-crisis-trump
Reuters, “Hegseth narrowly wins confirmation to become US defense secretary,” January 24, 2025: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/hegseth-narrowly-wins-confirmation-become-us-defense-secretary-2025-01-25/
Reuters, “‘Slap in the face:’ Bongino appointment sends shockwaves through FBI,” February 27, 2025: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/slap-face-bongino-appointment-sends-shockwaves-through-fbi-2025-02-27/

July 14, 2025

DOGE Cuts hit Social Security

An elderly man with deep wrinkles holds his forehead in distress with one hand while clutching an empty wallet in the other; a Social Security card drifts away from him against a textured, warm-toned background, symbolizing loss of benefits.

How Trump’s “DOGE” Cuts Are Hurting Missourians

A recent MSNBC opinion highlights how the Trump administration’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) — previously led by Elon Musk — has slashed Social Security staffing, closed field offices and imposed new verification rules—sowing chaos at an agency that serves over 66 million Americans^[1]. Under Commissioner Frank Bisignano, more than 7,000 positions have already been eliminated, call wait times have exploded, and critical in-person services are disappearing^[2].

Who’s Responsible

President Donald Trump — directed the formation of DOGE to deliver “efficiency” through across-the-board cuts.
Elon Musk — DOGE’s original leader, whose aggressive cost-cutting blueprint laid the groundwork for widespread staffing and office closures.
Commissioner Frank Bisignano — confirmed in May 2025 and now overseeing the implementation of DOGE’s staffing and policy changes^[3].

Impact on Missourians

AP News reports that at least 47 local SSA field offices nationwide are slated for closure this year under DOGE’s directives—dozens of which serve rural areas where Missourians already drive hours for in-person help^[4]. Kiplinger confirmed these closures affect communities of every size, forcing working families to choose between lost wages and long drives just to speak to a clerk^[5].

Rapidly aging population: Between 2020 and 2024, the 65 and over cohort in Kansas and Missouri grew by 13 percent, swelling demand for SSA services^[6].
High disability prevalence: 10.5 percent of Missourians under 65 live with a disability—higher than the national average of 9.1 percent—and rely on SSDI for essential income^[7][8].

Long-Term Pain for Elderly and Disabled Americans

These cuts don’t just inconvenience; they threaten the checks that sustain millions. As of May 2025, the Social Security Administration’s Monthly Statistical Snapshot shows:

69.628 million Americans receive Social Security (OASDI) benefits each month^[10].
61.405 million are aged 65 or older receiving Old-Age and Survivors Insurance^[10].
74.090 million Americans receive Social Security, SSI, or both^[10].

Many of these beneficiaries live on fixed incomes and cannot afford repeated travel or endless hold times, putting them at risk for missed benefits and financial hardship.

References

[1] Zeeshan Aleem, “How DOGE’s reckless cuts created chaos at the Social Security Administration,” Yahoo News.
[2] Meryl Kornfield & Hannah Natanson, “Social Security stops reporting call wait times and other metrics,” The Washington Post.
[3] “Social Security’s new commissioner, rule reversals and cost cuts,” MarketWatch.
[4] “A list of Social Security offices expected to close in 2025,” AP News.
[5] Donna LeValley, “47 Local Social Security Offices to Close After DOGE Cuts,” Kiplinger.
[6] “Fewer kids, more retirees in Kansas and Missouri,” Axios.
[7] “With a disability, under age 65 years, percent — Missouri,” U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts.
[8] “With a disability, under age 65 years, percent — United States,” U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts.
[9] “Social Security (United States),” Wikipedia.
[10] Social Security Administration, “Table 1 & 2: Number of people receiving Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, or both & Social Security benefits, May 2025,” Monthly Statistical Snapshot.

If you’re committed to standing with rural Missourians, our seniors and disabled neighbors in this fight against wasteful cuts, please chip in to keep our movement strong: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/ricky-dana-for-congress

July 14, 2025

Proposed Migrant Worker Visa Program: Boosting Missouri Agriculture & Economy

The U.S. Constitution guarantees fundamental rights to every individual within the United States. It is imperative that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Historically, Missourians and migrant workers have collaborated in agricultural labor, such as apple harvest. This cooperation offers significant opportunities for our agricultural industries and farming families by addressing the need for difficult-to-fill farmhand positions.

To foster a more structured and beneficial approach, I propose that a “Migrant Worker Visa” program be established. This program would enable migrants to legally work on Missouri farms during crop seasons and provide year-round farmhand support for livestock farmers, with an option for renewal annually.

Such a program would provide a much-needed labor source for Missouri farm families. Furthermore, it would generate revenue as migrant workers would contribute to local economies through purchases from retailers, thereby increasing tax revenue for Missouri’s rural counties, cities, towns, and farming communities. Income tax collected from these workers could be directed into the Social Security trust fund. I propose that migrant workers under this program would not be eligible for U.S. Social Security benefits and would be responsible for arranging their retirement plans independently within their home countries.

June 9, 2025

Tag: rural Missouri

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Cuts to Medicaid Provider Taxes

Stripping Funds from Rural Communities

Why It Matters

About Me: Ricky Dana

Here’s what I’m fighting for:

Sources

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Today’s Vote and My Commitment

Expanding Markets for Missouri Farmers

Tax Relief for Family Farms

Property Tax Credits for Farm Families

Improving Rural Health Care

Building Infrastructure & Broadband

Funding the Plan

Rough Cost Estimate for MO-4

Conclusion

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What Farmers Are Saying

Deals Lost to Other Countries

Can Farmers Even Break Even?

Food Prices and Safety Concerns

Farm to Table Is the Way Forward

Sources

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Quick Summary

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How Trump’s “DOGE” Cuts Are Hurting Missourians

Who’s Responsible

Impact on Missourians

Long-Term Pain for Elderly and Disabled Americans

References

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