On Tuesday, June 2, 2015, Trent Kelly won a special election runoff to represent the First District of Mississippi in the 114th Congress.
Trent lives in Saltillo with his wife of 31 years, Sheila, and their three children John Forrest, Morgan, and Jackson. They are members of Saltillo First United Methodist Church.
Trent was born on March 1, 1966, in Union, Mississippi to parents John and Barbara Kelly. He graduated from Union High School and East Central Community College. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi and law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law. In 2010, he received his master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
I believe the primary role of the federal government is to keep the United States safe from threats at home and abroad. After serving in the Mississippi National Guard for 32 years, I understand the sacrifice and commitment it takes to defend this great nation. I also understand that our responsibility to those who served does not end when a deployment is over or when a war ends. The Veterans Affairs (VA) scandal brought much needed attention to substandard medical care our veterans were receiving and much more needs to be done to ensure our veterans and their families have easy access to quality healthcare.
Agriculture is a top industry in Mississippi, contributing $7.9 billion to the state economy and employing roughly 260,000 Mississippians. I look forward to using my role on the House Agriculture Committee to put forth policies that encourage rural development and allow the agriculture industry to innovate and succeed.
The economy and job creation consistently ranks as one of the most important issues I hear about from constituents. People have been frustrated, and rightly so, because the rules and regulations handed down from Washington increase costs for business owners and consumers, hinder job growth, and stifle investment. We have made progress rolling back regulations, but our work is just beginning. As a member of the House Small Business Committee, I am consistently working to create an environment where businesses can hire more employees and provide economic opportunity in their region.
I support an all-of-the above energy strategy. Americans deserve access to reliable and affordable energy, and the federal government does not need to be in the business of picking winners and losers. Technological advances in extracting oil and natural gas from shale, specifically a technique known as fracking, has increased our GDP, reduced prices for consumers, expanded investment in the energy sector, created jobs, and is the leading contributing factor for improvements in the economy. This is the type of energy renaissance that needs to be embraced and emulated across the industry.
I am proud to serve as your Representative in Congress. I am committed to making real changes that will make our state and our nation a better place for our families and businesses. We may have our challenges, but I know the obstacles we face in Washington are worth fighting for. I have faith that in the long run, our country has the right kind of leadership we need to do what is right and President Trump is focused on the issues that are important to America. I hope you will continue to keep me informed on the issues important to you and your family.
It is pretty clear that the Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare, failed to live up to the promises made by this Administration. Americans were left with increased premiums and deductibles, fewer doctors, and the bureaucratic nightmare of navigating a complex law that was rushed through Congress and no one read. I look forward to working with my colleagues to put forth additional legislation that puts people in charge of their healthcare decisions, not the federal government.
I believe all people are made in the image of God, and therefore every person has value. That means that I think people should have access to the healthcare services that they need. As your voice in Congress, I believe it is our duty as a nation to protect the lives of the unborn.
No matter how hard the Obama Administration tries, the Second Amendment is not up for debate. I want to see an end to acts of hate and violence as much as everyone else, but I do not think you accomplish that goal by restricting the rights of legal gun owners. I will not support any legislation that infringes on the rights of legal gun owners and gives more power and authority to the federal government.
Protecting Social Security and Medicare for current beneficiaries and saving it for future generations is one of my most important responsibilities as a Member of Congress. It is no secret that demographic and economic factors will not allow us to continue the program unaltered. There are 10,000 baby boomers retiring every day, and when these programs were first enacted there were more than 40 workers for every 1 retiree. Today, that number is below 3 workers per retiree and headed towards 2 to 1. Healthcare costs continue to rise much faster than inflation. In order to ensure the solvency of a program that senior citizens have come to rely on, changes must be made. Social Security cannot continue on the path it is currently on, and politicians who claim they want to preserve the program without offering reforms are not being honest. The days of doing nothing, burying our heads in the sand, and pretending the status quo is sustainable are over. We must ensure that Social Security will be here for the next generation, and I will continue to fight for the future of this vital program.