Earlier this year I was honored to be sworn in as your new representative in the United States Congress.  As your representative, one of my duties is to update you on the federal issues that affect your life, so I am launching this occasional series of e-mails to keep in touch.

As important as it is for you to hear what's going on in Washington, it's even more important that I hear about your ideas, problems, and concerns. Please stay in touch by calling me at (785) 234-8111, e-mailing me through my website at www.boyda.house.gov, or visiting one of my district offices.

With warm regards,

Nancy Boyda
Member of Congress

Disaster Assistance Available to Many Area Residents

If you suffered property damage in the tornadoes, storms, and floods that swept across Kansas in May, you may be eligible to receive disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Residents of Leavenworth, Osage, Riley, and Shawnee counties are eligible for FEMA Individual Assistance, which helps homeowners, families, and businesses cover immediate, necessary expenses in the aftermath of a declared natural disaster. Funds may be used for housing, disaster-related medical and dental costs, clothing, household items, and other serious needs.

To apply for individual disaster assistance, visit the FEMA website at http://www.fema.gov/assistance/index.shtm or call 1-800-621-FEMA. When you apply you should have a pen and paper available to write down important phone contacts. You will need your social security number, current and pre-disaster address, phone numbers, type of insurance coverage, total household annual income, and a routing and account number from your bank if you want to have disaster assistance funds transferred directly into your bank account.

Additionally, FEMA Public Assistance is available to local governments and to certain non-profit agencies in Cherokee, Doniphan, Douglas, Jackson, Leavenworth, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Riley, and Shawnee counties. Although individuals generally cannot apply for these funds, public assistance can help local agencies jump-start your area’s recovery from the May natural disaster. 

Congress is Coming to Your Corner

During my frequent trips home to Kansas, I often host an event called Congress on Your Corner as a way of keeping in touch with my constituents.

Each Congress on Your Corner is an informal, friendly get-together in a coffee shop, restaurant, library, or senior center in the Kansas Second Congressional District. I usually begin each event with a few remarks about my work in Washington and a brief, public Q&A.; Afterwards, I sit down one-on-one with constituents to discuss your legislative concerns and offer assistance with federal agencies.

During the recent Memorial Day Congressional recess, I held Congress on Your Corners in Atchison, Troy, Wamego, and Ottawa. For information on upcoming Congress on Your Corners, or to suggest a venue for a future event, please visit my website.

I look forward to visiting your corner soon! 

Cleaning Up Congress

From the moment I arrived in our nation’s capital, I have strived to change the way business is done in D.C. – to begin cleaning up Congress.

On my very first day in office, I voted for an ethics reform package that prohibited representatives from accepting gifts, travel, and meals from lobbyists. Within my first month, I authored legislation to strip the Congressional pensions of representatives who are convicted of a serious crime in office, including bribery, conspiracy, and perjury.  Just last week, I voted for a bill that would trigger an automatic House Ethics Committee investigation whenever a Member of Congress is indicted on criminal charges.

I believe these reforms are important, meaningful steps toward rebuilding Kansans’ trust in our federal government, but much more work remains to be done.  I will continue to fight in Congress to create a stronger, more independent Ethics Committee; to stop the "revolving door" of lawmakers turning into lobbyists; and to rebuild the trust of the American people in their representatives.

About this e-Newsletter

This is an occasional informational e-mail sent to residents of the Kansas Second Congressional District.  If you would prefer not to receive future mailings, please visit the "Unsubscribe" link at the top or bottom of this message.

If you would like to receive updates more frequently on my activities in Kansas and my work in Washington, please register for my weekly newsletter from my website, www.boyda.house.gov.

This mailing was prepared and sent at taxpayer expense.