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Rep. Hartzler opens office in Columbia, talks spending cuts and Hagel

Kristofor Husted
/
KBIA

U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler opened the doors to her new office in Columbia Tuesday.

Dozens of supporters showed up to welcome the Republican congresswoman to the south Columbia location. For many of them it was the first time meeting her.

Though this is Hartzler’s second term in Congress, this is the first time she will be representing Boone County in the Fourth District. That’s because of redistricting that occurred after Missouri lost a spot in the House because of the state’s dip in population.

As a new member of the House Budget Committee, Hartzler highlighted her focus to cut federal spending in programs like Medicare and Social Security.

“But also looking at even things like the farm bill,” she says. “We cut direct subsidies for that and we’re going to continue to cut other farm programs. But all aspects of government have areas that we can cut and return a lot of authority back to the states.”

The congresswoman also expressed disapproval of President Barack Obama’s nomination of former Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel as the defense secretary.

“I have a lot of concerns with statements that he has made and some of his past votes,” she says. “I am a very big supporter of Israel and I think it’s very smart of us to have a strategic alliance with the number one democracy in the Middle East. So, I do not support his confirmation and think we can do better.”

Hartzler, who does not have a vote on the nomination, says she plans on making her opinion known to the U.S. senators who will vote on the nomination.

Kristofor left KBIA in fall of 2021