Congressman Jason Smith shared his experience and opinions with Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, at 5:30 p.m. May 5 in Tate Hall.

Smith is a cattle farmer and an MU graduate from Salem, Missouri. He has lived in the same area his whole life, and calls himself “conservative and proud of it.”

As the 8th District congressman for Missouri, Smith is also the youngest Republican member of the U.S. Congress and finds himself working with people his parents and grandparents age. Smith said when looking at Congress, it is “interesting to note the dynamics of age.”

Smith is frequently asked whether or not congressmen of opposite parties get along. He said he has found that the younger crowd, or those under 40, tend to be more willing to cooperate.

“I made it a goal when I was first elected to Congress to go around and meet all of the other members, try to get to know them and try to find common ground with issues,” Smith said.

Smith told the students that the only person they will ever agree with fully is themselves.

“If I can agree with someone 80 percent of the time, they are friends,” Smith said. “Even if I don’t agree with someone maybe we can iron out those differences so it is not such a huge disagreement.”

Smith has been a part of a workout group for over a year, which contains both Republicans and Democrats who get along outside of the House. Smith even said two of his best friends are Democrats and have such opposite ideas to his that it “amazes” him.

In addition to relationships between opposite parties, many students at the event were curious if having a Republican majority vote has affected the U.S. Senate in any way. Although it is difficult to agree on legislation, Smith said “things are moving” and “the atmosphere is better.”

“If you look at measurements about how effective this Congress is in comparison to other Congresses, we’ve passed 7.6 percent of legislative,” Smith said. “The average is 7 percent so we are above average.”

PSA President Lauren Herbig said the members of PSA were excited Smith was able to speak to them and grateful for the opportunity. Smith was very willing to share with the group and had a lot of experience for students who enjoy government, she said.

“For those who are interested in government, this (was) important to attend, because a lot of students don’t know what representatives do,” Herbig said. “I am interning in D.C. this summer and would like to know the dos and don’ts and any advice he might have for me.”

PSA member Nick Benham wants to go into the judiciary branch of government but also plans to leave other options open.

“Jason Smith is cool because he is somebody just like those of us at this meeting,” Benham said. “It shows us that we can get to where he is.”

Smith encouraged the PSA students to run for various positions and offices and work for issues they care about.

“You are the leaders today,” Smith said. “You don’t have to wait.”