Jason Smith

Jason Smith
Nationality	American
Occupation	Template:Hlist
Title	U.S. Representative for Missouri's 8th congressional district
Known for	Chairman of the United States House Committee on Ways and Means

Jason Smith is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Missouri's 8th congressional district and as Chairman of the United States House Committee on Ways and Means. A member of the Republican Party, Smith has represented a largely rural district in southeastern and southern Missouri in Congress since winning a special election in 2013. His tenure has been marked by a focus on agricultural policy, trade, and tax legislation, areas that reflect the economic interests of his district. As chairman of one of the most powerful committees in the House, Smith has played a central role in shaping Republican fiscal and trade policy, including advocacy for what he and allies describe as an "America First" trade agenda. Beyond his legislative work, Smith has been a vocal supporter of organizations such as the National FFA Organization, citing their importance to the future of American agriculture and rural communities.

The name "Jason Smith" is shared by several other notable Americans, including a sports radio host who broadcasts The Jason Smith Show with Mike Harmon on Fox Sports Radio, and a former NFL offensive lineman who was a first-round draft pick and who, as of 2026, serves as an assistant offensive line coach at the University of South Carolina. This article focuses primarily on the U.S. Representative from Missouri, with separate sections addressing the other notable individuals of the same name.

Career

U.S. Representative from Missouri

Jason Smith has served as the U.S. Representative for Missouri's 8th congressional district, a position he has held since 2013. The district encompasses a large, predominantly rural area in the southeastern and southern portions of the state. Smith rose to the chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee, one of the oldest and most influential committees in Congress, which holds jurisdiction over tax policy, trade, Social Security, Medicare, and other revenue-related legislation.

Agricultural Policy

Smith has been a consistent advocate for agricultural interests throughout his congressional career, a stance closely tied to the economic profile of his district. In February 2026, Smith authored an opinion piece in which he described his belief in the future of American agriculture and the role of young people in sustaining it. He specifically highlighted the importance of the National FFA Organization, noting the organization's role in developing future agricultural leaders. Smith backed a resolution in support of National FFA Week and used the occasion to call attention to what he characterized as ongoing challenges facing American farmers.

In his commentary, Smith also raised concerns about possible foreign influences on American agriculture, seeking what he described as answers regarding external threats to the sector. His advocacy for agriculture has been a recurring theme of his legislative agenda, reflecting the economic dependence of Missouri's 8th district on farming and related industries.

Trade Policy and the Ways and Means Committee

As Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, Smith has been at the center of debates over American trade policy. In February 2026, he responded to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down aspects of President Donald Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) in connection with global tariff policies. In an official statement released through the committee, Smith criticized the Supreme Court's ruling, characterizing it as a setback to what he called President Trump's "successful America First trade policy." He stated that the trade policy had, in his view, "secured massive wins for our farmers" and other sectors of the American economy over the preceding year.

Smith's defense of executive trade authority under the IEEPA placed him in alignment with the Trump administration's approach to tariffs and trade negotiations. The statement underscored his position that executive flexibility in trade matters was essential to advancing American economic interests. The ruling by the Supreme Court represented a significant legal challenge to the use of emergency powers for trade purposes, and Smith's response signaled his intent to pursue legislative remedies or alternative approaches to maintain the administration's trade agenda.

Smith further elaborated on his views regarding the Supreme Court decision and broader fiscal policy in a February 2026 interview with Bloomberg. In the podcast interview, he discussed the implications of the court's ruling and the Republican legislative strategy on trade and economic matters.

Legislative Priorities

Throughout his time on the Ways and Means Committee and especially as its chairman, Smith has focused on a range of fiscal and economic issues. His public statements have consistently emphasized the importance of tax policy favorable to American businesses and workers, trade agreements that protect domestic industries—particularly agriculture—and oversight of federal spending. His committee chairmanship has given him significant influence over the legislative trajectory of tax reform, entitlement programs, and trade law.

Smith's role as chairman has also placed him in frequent dialogue with both the executive branch and the media, as evidenced by his Bloomberg interview and official committee statements in 2026. His positions on trade, in particular the defense of tariff authority and advocacy for agricultural protections, have defined his profile within the Republican conference.

Jason Smith (Sports Radio Host)

A separate individual named Jason Smith is a sports radio broadcaster who hosts The Jason Smith Show with Mike Harmon, which airs on Fox Sports Radio. The program covers a wide range of professional and amateur sports topics, with Smith and his co-host Mike Harmon delivering commentary, analysis, and debate on current events in the sports world.

Broadcasting Career

The Jason Smith Show with Mike Harmon is broadcast nationally through the iHeartRadio network and is a regular feature of Fox Sports Radio's programming lineup. The show covers the major American professional sports leagues—including the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB—as well as international sports competitions such as the Olympic Games.

In a February 2026 broadcast, Smith and Harmon discussed a range of topics reflecting the breadth of the show's coverage. The hosts debated whether a save by Connor Hellebuyck on a play by Toews during Olympic competition constituted one of the greatest individual saves in Olympic hockey history. The segment demonstrated the show's characteristic style of combining in-depth sports analysis with spirited debate between the two hosts.

In the same broadcast, Smith and Harmon argued that Kevin Durant would be an essential member of the United States men's basketball team at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. This segment reflected the show's tendency to look ahead to upcoming major sporting events while connecting current player performances to future expectations.

Another recurring segment from the February 2026 broadcasts featured Smith and Harmon's commentary on the Canadian men's hockey team, with the hosts delivering the blunt assessment that "Canada needs to just take the L" following a notable loss. The segment also included a humorous discussion about the dental habits of professional hockey players, specifically referencing Jack Hughes' teeth. These segments illustrated the show's blend of serious sports analysis with lighter, personality-driven entertainment.

The show also featured guest appearances from prominent sports journalists, including Jason La Canfora, an NFL insider for The Washington Post, who appeared on the program to discuss football-related topics.

Jason Smith (Football Coach and Former NFL Player)

A third notable individual named Jason Smith is a former professional American football player who transitioned into coaching following the conclusion of his playing career. As of January 2026, he serves as an assistant offensive line coach at the University of South Carolina.

Playing Career

Jason Smith was a first-round pick in the NFL Draft, reflecting his status as one of the top offensive line prospects in his draft class. He went on to play professionally in the National Football League. Specific details regarding his draft year, the team that selected him, and the duration and statistics of his NFL career are documented in NFL records, though the available sources for this article confirm his first-round draft status without providing further specifics about his playing tenure.

Coaching Career

Following his retirement from professional football, Smith moved into coaching. He was officially added to the University of South Carolina football staff as an assistant offensive line coach on January 2, 2026. His appointment to the Gamecocks' coaching staff represented a continuation of his involvement in football, leveraging his experience as a former first-round NFL draft pick and professional offensive lineman to mentor and develop collegiate players at the position.

Smith's transition from the NFL to collegiate coaching is consistent with a broader pattern in American football, where former professional players bring their playing experience to bear in developmental roles at the university level. His first-round pedigree and professional experience were cited by South Carolina Athletics in connection with his hiring, suggesting that his playing background was a significant factor in his appointment to the coaching staff.

Recognition

Jason Smith (Politician)

As Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Jason Smith holds one of the most prominent committee chairmanships in the U.S. Congress. The position places him among the leading Republican voices on fiscal and trade policy. His public statements and media appearances, including interviews with major outlets such as Bloomberg, reflect his standing as a significant figure in national policy debates. His advocacy for agricultural interests and trade policy have drawn attention from both supporters and critics of the Republican economic agenda.

Smith's support for National FFA Week and his public statements on agricultural policy have been recognized by farming and rural community organizations in Missouri and nationally. His opinion pieces have appeared in regional publications such as the Southeast Missourian, reflecting his engagement with constituents and stakeholders in his district.

Jason Smith (Sports Radio Host)

The Jason Smith Show with Mike Harmon is broadcast nationally on Fox Sports Radio through the iHeartRadio platform, giving Smith a significant audience among American sports radio listeners. The show's format, which combines news analysis, debate, and humor, has established it as a regular part of the Fox Sports Radio programming schedule.

Jason Smith (Football Coach)

Smith's recognition in the football world stems primarily from his status as a former first-round NFL draft pick. His appointment to the University of South Carolina coaching staff was announced through the university's official athletics communications, reflecting the significance attached to his professional background in the context of collegiate coaching.