Mark Alford
Representative for Missouri · Republican · United States
“Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Cole and Ranking Member DeLauro for their hard work in this endeavor. Mr. Speaker, here we are again. I rise in strong support of this continuing resolution. Last year, Senate Democrats manufactured a 42-day shutdown that punished troops, farmers, veterans, and working families.”
House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗
“It does not load the bill with poison pills that invite another crisis right before the American people vote. House Republicans have already done the hard work. They have moved the appropriations bills. They have restored regular order.”
House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗
“Speaker, the American people remember that. Today, we choose competence and to keep the lights on. We protect the progress already made. We give appropriators the time to finish our full-year bills without holding servicemembers, farmers, and seniors hostage.”
House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗
“When I came to Congress, I made it quite clear: We should not be trading individual stocks while we are making decisions that shape our economy. That is why I introduced the PELOSI Act to draw a bright, unmistakable line, no stock trading, no gray area, and no doubt, to be above the appearance of impropriety as Chairman Steil said.”
House of Representatives22 July 2026Source ↗
“Let's restore trust to this body. Let's raise the standard of each and every one of us here in this body today. If I wanted to, I could have made a lot of money in the last 3\1/2\ years I was here trading stock and probably would be able to afford an apartment somewhere in D.C.”
House of Representatives22 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Steil for his dedicated hard work on getting this bill to the floor. It wasn't easy. Mr. Speaker, public service is a privilege. It is not a pathway to personal profit.”
House of Representatives22 July 2026Source ↗
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“Speaker, the American people remember that. Today, we choose competence and to keep the lights on. We protect the progress already made. We give appropriators the time to finish our full-year bills without holding servicemembers, farmers, and seniors hostage. You see, Missourians did not send me here to shut the government down for talking points. The American people sent us here to fund the government, to cut the waste, to secure the country, and get results. That is why, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to pass this resolution to keep the government open and then finish the appropriations work the Constitution actually requires of us here in Congress.”
House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗
“It does not load the bill with poison pills that invite another crisis right before the American people vote. House Republicans have already done the hard work. They have moved the appropriations bills. They have restored regular order. They fought for fiscal discipline and for real investments in rural America, including more than $20 million that was secured for Missouri's Fourth Congressional District in infrastructure, rural health, agriculture research, and public safety. Mr. Speaker, a continuing resolution is not the finish line. Full- year bills are the finish line, but a shutdown is not a strategy. It is an abdication. It is a political stunt dressed up as principle. The other side had a chance last year to help us fund the government, but they chose leverage instead. They chose chaos instead. Yes, Mr.”
House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Cole and Ranking Member DeLauro for their hard work in this endeavor. Mr. Speaker, here we are again. I rise in strong support of this continuing resolution. Last year, Senate Democrats manufactured a 42-day shutdown that punished troops, farmers, veterans, and working families. Airports were backed up and paychecks froze. Rural hospitals and local law enforcement felt the hit, and Missouri families paid the price for Washington games. We will not let that happen again. This clean, short-term continuing resolution keeps the government open through early December. It pays our troops. It funds the Department of Veterans Affairs. It keeps SNAP and WIC operating for Missouri mothers and children. It sustains USDA programs our farmers and ranchers depend on. It funds disaster relief and surface transportation.”
House of Representatives1 September 2026Source ↗
“Speaker, this bill is the right thing to do, not just for the American people, but for our body to restore trust to us.”
House of Representatives22 July 2026Source ↗
“Let's restore trust to this body. Let's raise the standard of each and every one of us here in this body today. If I wanted to, I could have made a lot of money in the last 3\1/2\ years I was here trading stock and probably would be able to afford an apartment somewhere in D.C. However, I don't, and like a lot of Members who don't trade stocks, I sleep on my couch in my office. Do you know what, Mr. Speaker? I sleep well. I sleep well knowing that I am doing the right thing. In closing, I grew up in the Church of Christ down in Baytown, Texas. I worked for a while in West Palm Beach. There was a preacher there named Dan Jenkins who used to say all the time: It is always right to do right. It is always wrong to do wrong. It is never right to do wrong, and it is never wrong to do right. Mr.”
House of Representatives22 July 2026Source ↗
“When I came to Congress, I made it quite clear: We should not be trading individual stocks while we are making decisions that shape our economy. That is why I introduced the PELOSI Act to draw a bright, unmistakable line, no stock trading, no gray area, and no doubt, to be above the appearance of impropriety as Chairman Steil said. The very legislation we are debating today from my friend, Chairman Steil, advances that same principle. It says that if you have the privilege of serving in this body and serving your constituents, Mr. Speaker, then you don't get to personally profit from the markets that you help influence. This isn't complicated. The American people shouldn't have to wonder if their Representative is working for them or watching their stock portfolio on their phones here on the House Chamber. Let's remove that doubt.”
House of Representatives22 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Steil for his dedicated hard work on getting this bill to the floor. It wasn't easy. Mr. Speaker, public service is a privilege. It is not a pathway to personal profit. Yet, too many Americans look at us here in Congress and wonder if that line has been blurred, not proven, not assumed, but simply questioned. That question alone is a problem. Mr. Speaker, that is because when lawmakers consistently outperform Wall Street, then people start asking questions. They start doubting. They stop trusting in us. For example, Mr. Speaker, there is even a Member here in our body who entered Congress years ago with a net worth in the thousands, and yet now has a net worth of well more than $200 million. That is exactly why this matters, Mr. Speaker.”
House of Representatives22 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2026, and further when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet on Monday, July 20, 2026, when it shall convene at noon for morning-hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.”
House of Representatives16 July 2026Source ↗
“It is a testament to a lifelong commitment to the game, to the city, and to our community. Mr. Speaker, legends aren't just defined by what they achieve but how they are serving others. John Wathan's legacy will continue to inspire for generations to come. We are so proud to congratulate The Duke and his family on this incredible honor. ____________________”
House of Representatives16 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a true Kansas City legend, John Wathan, whose lifelong dedication to the Kansas City Royals has now earned him a well-deserved place in the Royals Hall of Fame.”
House of Representatives16 July 2026Source ↗
“Mr. Chairman, I thank Chairman Diaz-Balart and Ranking Member Frankel for their hard work on putting this bill together. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this fiscal year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs funding bill. We are talking about security through responsibility today. This is a bill that does something that Washington doesn't always do: It spends less, and it prioritizes more. It cuts spending by $2.6 billion, compared to last year, while putting American interests and national security first. It also demands fiscal responsibility. It strengthens oversight of taxpayer dollars, especially, with new accountability for grant programs, to make sure that taxpayer dollars are not spent on woke projects, like a transgender opera in Colombia. Mr.”
House of Representatives15 July 2026Source ↗
“Small businesses like Pete & Jake's represent the American Dream, built on hard work, innovation, and passion for what they do. Today, we congratulate Pete & Jake's Hot Rod Parts on their 50th anniversary and thank them for their contributions to Missouri and to America. ____________________”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“His son Jason; his wife, Tina; and their son, Colton--third generation in this picture here--run the daily operation of the all- USA-made parts for hot rods. Their family impact goes well beyond just business. They give back to our community. Each and every year, Pete & Jake's hosts a major car show in May, with all the proceeds going to support junior diabetes research, showcasing their dedication to both the customers and their community. Last year, Mr. Speaker, they celebrated 50 years in business, and each May they have a hot rod show with hundreds of cars coming from all over the country into our district. Last year, 500 hot rods from 40 States were represented. All the proceeds go, as we said, to junior diabetes research.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Speaker, I rise today to recognize an iconic Fourth District small business, our Small Business of the Month, Pete & Jake's Hot Rod Parts of Peculiar, Missouri. For more than 50 years now, Pete & Jake's has been a cornerstone of the hot rod community, crafting high-quality suspension components that are not only admired but built to actually use. What began in 1973 as two friends restoring a pair of 1934 Ford three-window coupes quickly turned into a legendary brand. Pete & Jake's built and designed the hot rod California Kid for the 1974 Hollywood movie titled ``The California Kid.'' Pete & Jake later sold their California hot rod shop, along with the California Kid, to Jerry Slover, and he moved the hot rod shop to Cass County, Missouri.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“After his honorable service, John dedicated his life to building his community, literally and figuratively, through his work as the owner of John Foster Construction Company and through decades of civic leadership. He served as president of the Harrisonville Chamber of Commerce, chaired numerous community initiatives, and was instrumental in establishing the Lawrence Smith Memorial Airport. As a charter member of the Harrisonville Rotary Club, he promoted international goodwill and service. John M. Foster's life of duty and service to country, community, and family stands as a shining example of American patriotism. We are proud to honor him today, proud to have him in Missouri's Fourth Congressional District, and we thank him for his service to our great Nation. Recognizing Pete & Jake's Hot Rod Parts Mr. ALFORD. Mr.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor John M. Foster of Harrisonville, Missouri, as our April Veteran of the Month. A proud son of Cass County, John served 9 years in the Active Army Reserve with the 4th Squadron of the 4th Cavalry Division of the 102nd Infantry Division, earning the rank of sergeant first class.”
House of Representatives29 April 2025Source ↗
“Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an outstanding American and our March Veteran of the Month, Lieutenant Commander Greg Cowan, United States Navy, Retired, from Lebanon, Missouri, in Laclede County. Greg Cowan's service to our Nation spans more than two decades, beginning in 1980 when he enlisted in the Navy.”
House of Representatives26 March 2025Source ↗
“Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor our February Veteran of the Month, Randall E. Watson. Randall is a retired Army Chief Warrant Officer 4, or CW4, and human resources officer with more than 24 years of service. Randall got his bachelor's degree from the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg and his master's from the American Military University in West Virginia.”
House of Representatives11 February 2025Source ↗
“Madam Speaker, today, I rise with an extremely important declaration about the Kansas City Chiefs. I am honored today to be wearing the red blazer that I made for the late, great Tony DiPardo, the bandleader for the Kansas City Chiefs for many years. In case my colleagues haven't heard, we have a big game on Sunday that is going to make some noise, spark some joy, and make the entire Chiefs Kingdom proud.”
House of Representatives6 February 2025Source ↗
“Madam Speaker, today, I rise to honor our January Veteran of the Month, Michael ``Mike'' Tracy. Mike entered the Air Force Delayed Entry program in 1975 where he reported to basic training, Air Force leadership school, and Air Force Security Police School at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.”
House of Representatives15 January 2025Source ↗
“Madam Speaker, I rise to honor our December Veteran of the Month, Major Jamie Melchert, who was born in Sedalia, Missouri. Major Melchert enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1998 and completed two combat tours, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also completed additional overseas missions in Guatemala and Germany.”
House of Representatives7 January 2025Source ↗