U.S. Rep. Jason Smith of southern Missouri’s 8th Congressional District has claimed a top leadership post in the House of Representatives.

Smith was chosen by voice vote of his GOP colleagues as secretary for the House Republican Conference earlier this week.

He said Thursday he will be one of eight GOP leaders who will drive policy decisions.

In the last 50 years, only two Missouri lawmakers have had top leadership posts in the House: Republican Roy Blunt and Democrat Richard Gephardt, Smith said.

At age 36, the Salem, Missouri, Republican is the youngest member of leadership.

Smith said he never planned to seek the conference post.

“I continued to be encouraged by my colleagues to do this, and the door just kept staying open,” he said.

He added in his new position with the House conference, “I want to make sure the values of Missouri, the values of Southeast Missouri, South Central Missouri and all rural Missouri are at the leadership table.”

He said, “If you look at the election, it is what I refer to as a rural revolution.”

Rural Americans became “fed up” with the last eight years of federal regulations that affected their way of life, he added.

“I want to make sure my voice is there, fighting for our values,” Smith said.

In his role as conference secretary, Smith said he will be meeting at least weekly with House Speaker Paul Ryan and the rest of the GOP leadership.

Smith said he wants to “elevate” his colleagues by making use of their expertise in drafting legislation.

“We have 241 different Republican members of our conference, and they all have different expertise,” he said. “We need to utilize everyone to move this country forward.”

Smith said he and his GOP colleagues in Congress are excited about “the opportunity to make a big change” under President-elect Donald Trump.

He said he is looking forward to reducing regulatory burdens that have hampered 8th District residents.

An ardent Trump supporter throughout the election campaign, Smith said he has “a great line of communication” with the Trump team.

He said that will help him “better represent this district.”

“I am excited with a Trump presidency,” he said. “I believe he is going to put the right people in the right positions.”

Smith said his constituents are “ready for business as usual to change.”

“I think we can create an atmosphere that allows for people to believe in our country and invest in our country, and ultimately grow jobs and our economy,” he said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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