By Dan Hall

U.S. Congressman, Billy Long, visited Lee’s Summit while on his “Billy Bus Kickoff Tour” on August 12, 2021. Congressman Long is running for the U.S. Senate seat of retiring Senator Roy Blunt.

This reporter was able to interview Congressman Long during his local campaign stop.

A series of four questions were asked during a “lively” interview. Congressman Long said he was a fourth generation Missourian. In 2010, when he first ran for the US Congress, Long said he was 55 years old and had never sought any public office. He was elected and was the oldest member of his “freshman class” in Congress. Long said he had been a successful auctioneer and real estate businessman for 30 years prior to being elected to the U.S. Congress.

Question 1: What things are happening now that could destroy America?

Long: Destruction of law and order. Thanks to George Soros’ involvement, many prosecutors are not willing to enforce the law. Now, in California, Walgreens Drugs has announced the closure of hundreds of stores because prosecutors will not bring charges for any theft of less than $1,000. All this is causing no rule of law. Our country must support law enforcement, otherwise, we will lose America.

Question 2: What would be your legislative priorities if elected to the U.S. Senate?

Long: My first priority would be to stop illegal immigration on our border with Mexico. So far, we have had over 1.2 million illegal immigrants cross into our United States. Public health is a driving force to stop this madness because an estimated 20% to 40% of these illegal immigrants are COVID positive. Then we send them, by airplane and bus, to every corner of America thereby helping spread this virus and its variants.

My next priority would be to provide funding for more police officers. In the District of Columbia, the police numbers have been reduced by two hundred in the last 12 months. Even in Springfield, MO, we have forty-seven fewer police officers from a year ago. Less police means we return to the “wild west” approach except today only the lawbreakers have the guns.

My third priority would be supporting legislation to get Critical Race Theory (CRT) teaching removed from our public schools.

Question 3: What will be your primary duty as just one of 100 U.S. Senators?

Long: Republicans must win back a majority of at least 51 Senators so as to block Socialist plans for America. Currently with a 50/50 Republican/Democrat balance, the Vice President breaks any tie vote. So far in 2021, VP Kamala Harris has broken eight such ties in behalf of the Democrats.

Question #4: As a U.S. Congressman for the past 11 years, what do you view as your primary accomplishment?

Long: As a member of the US House Energy and Commerce Committee, I supported legislation to counteract (stop) the selling of China made products, into the USA, at below the actual cost of production. This practice is called “dumping” which destroys USA competition for similarly produced products. I am particularly proud of this accomplishment in that it saved many jobs of U.S. producers.

Congressman Long said that his kickoff bus tour is only a start as he plans to ultimately campaign in every one of Missouri’s 114 counties and the City of St. Louis. He is an ardent supporter of the policies of past President Donald Trump. He said, as a U.S. Senator, he wants to preserve our American values and put America first.