Stay Informed

Sign up for updates from the Congresswoman!



Congress On Your Corner

Photo Gallery

Where's Nancy

Veterans History Project

Fram Nancy's Desk

Email Friend Print

Congress in Your Inbox - House Votes to Cut Student Loan Rates

Dear Friend,

When I graduated from college in 1977, the average cost for a year's tuition, room, and board at a public, four-year school was $1,936. That was a major expense: almost 15% of the average American household's income, enough to make many families think twice before sending their children to college.

Since then, the price tag has grown much, much higher. It is now a dizzying $13,000, almost 28% of the average household's annual earnings. Instead of graduating with hope for their future, today's college students graduate with loan payments as far as the eye can see.

Earlier this month, Congress acted to rein in the runaway cost of higher education. With my enthusiastic support, the House of Representatives passed the College Cost Reduction Act, which will help millions of American students afford a college degree.

The bill expands eligibility for Pell Grants, dramatically reduces the interest rates on federal student loans, and helps public servants such as firefighters and first responders pay off their college loans. Best of all, it won't cost American taxpayers a single new penny. By eliminating excessive subsidies to the student loan industry, the legislation pays for itself.

Here in Kansas, we have always believed that everyone who works hard should have the chance to succeed. We believe that college should open doors, not close them. Education should create opportunities, not debt.

The College Cost Reduction Act brings that vision one step closer to reality.

With warm regards,

Nancy Boyda
Member of Congress

Casework Corner - Boyda's Office Can Help Retrieve Military Records

Casework Corner is a regular feature on my official website. Every week, members of my constituent services staff share ways that they can help Kansans deal with the federal government.

By Adam Stolte
District Representative

Earlier this year, Joycelyn Roney of Carbondale, Kansas, learned that the Burlingame Historical Society was seeking the military records of local veterans for a new veterans memorial. She knew that her late father-in-law, Earl John Roney, had served in the Navy in World War II, so she contacted Rep. Nancy Boyda's office for help in tracking down his service records.

As a member of Rep. Boyda's constituent services staff, I often help relatives learn more about their loved ones' military history. Sometimes, as our office digs through decades-old records, we uncover long-buried stories.

Earl John Roney enlisted in the Navy in December of 1939, and he was assigned to the USS Tennessee, a 32,300-ton battleship stationed in Pearl Harbor. Two years later, on December 7, 1941, he found himself in the midst of a defining moment in U.S. history -- the "date which will live in infamy," when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and triggered America's involvement in World War II.

Continue reading…

Letter of the Week - Rising Price of Gasoline

Every week, 2,000 - 3,000 Second District residents write to me about the issues pending before Congress, and I work hard to respond to each person as promptly and thoughtfully as possible. On my website's "Letter of the Week" blog, I highlight constituent letters that are of general interest. If you'd like to share your own views, please feel free to e-mail me at any time!

"With gasoline prices hovering at $3.00 per gallon, I am looking to you to pass legislation aimed at rising gasoline prices and our country's growing dependence on oil... A recent Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report found that the average fuel economy for vehicle fleets in the U.S. had not improved in two decades. Transportation fuel accounts for approximately 40 percent of all U.S. oil consumption. Without legislation aimed at increasing fuel efficiency, our nation's dependence on foreign oil will continue to grow. Now is the time to use existing technology to raise the fuel efficiency of vehicles and to expand the number of options for consumers to conserve." -- Connie in Topeka

Dear Connie,

Thank you for taking the time to contact me with your thoughts on fuel economy standards. I appreciate hearing your opinion and thoughts on the subject, and I am glad that I may in turn share my thoughts with you.

As you are well aware, our nation is currently facing major environmental hurdles. I agree with those who say that if we continue business as usual, our children will not have the same healthy trees, water and air that we have enjoyed. If we continue to abuse our natural resources, they soon will be in danger of severe pollution and, in some instances, of complete disappearance.

Continue reading…

This Week in Congress 


On Monday, representatives of the Kansas Energy Office, the Kansas Farmers Union, JW Prairie Wind Power LLC, and Tradewind Energy participated in a morning meeting on agricultural and renewable energy issues at my Topeka office.  Afterwards, the Kansas State Council of Firefighters stopped in to discuss their legislative priorities.  On my way to the Kansas City airport for an afternoon flight to D.C., I visited Fort Leavenworth for lunch with the base's new commander, Gen. William Caldwell.

On Tuesday, representatives from Coffeyville Resources LLC, Kansas City Public Utilities, the Kansas Foundation for Medical Care, the Kansas Grain and Feed Association, and the Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association visited my D.C. office. Also, Ethan Quaney, a fifth-grade student who won the Kansas state competition to design an anti-tobacco poster for the National Tar Wars, dropped in for a visit.

On Wednesday, Bill Greving, a board member of the National Sorghum Producers from Prairie View, stopped by the office, as did Bob Page, the incoming president and CEO of the University of Kansas Hospital.

On Thursday, a delegation from the Kansas Corn Growers Association, visted to talk about agricultural issues in the upcoming Farm Bill renewal, and Dick Allen of Manhattan, the CEO of Mercy Regional Health Care, also visited.

On Friday I returned home to the Second District of Kansas, where I was pleased to join the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce for their quarterly lunch.  Later in the day, I read to a group of children at the Pauline Summer Reading Program.

On Saturday, city and county officials in Osawatomie showed me around their city, highlighting flood recovery efforts. FEMA and SBA representatives also guided me through their new Disaster Recovery Center, and I visited residents door-to-door to hear their recovery stories and learn more about their needs.

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.

This mailing was prepared and sent at taxpayer expense.