A Note from Nancy

Dear Friend,

During my time at home this month, I have heard over and over again how frustrated Kansans remain over the government bailout. They say it just isn’t fair their precious, hard earned dollars are going to pay for the mistakes of Wall Street CEO’s. I don’t blame them. Americans have every right to be frustrated by a $700 billion plan that, so far, does not seem to be making a difference.

You know by now that I did not support the plan. I voted against it because too many economists were concerned it wouldn’t work. All the economists I spoke with agreed there were better ways to get out of this mess. Sadly, at the end of the day, the President’s scare tactics were effective and he got his way with the bailout plan.

I share your frustration. And I want you to know that I’m doing everything I can to make sure that those who caused this crisis pay the consequences for their actions.

I saw reports earlier this month that the FBI had been aware of an escalating financial problem for several years. In fact, on more than one occasion, the FBI asked the Department of Justice for resources to investigate the situation. Each request was turned down by the Justice Department.

I became infuriated and immediately sought out Representative Ted Poe, a conservative Republican from Texas. Ted and I wrote a letter to United States Attorney General Michael Mukasey, demanding an investigation into any and all financial institutions, corporations, and individuals that are suspect of criminal action relating to our current economic crisis. It is only right that any perpetrators of criminal activity should face the consequences for violating the laws of our land.

Taxpayers deserve to know the truth. Please know that I am committed to bringing transparency to every aspect of this financial crisis and accountability from the parties involved.

With warm regards, 

Nancy Boyda
Member of Congress


Casework Corner – Nancy's Office Helps Solve Difficult Social Security Case
Written By: Joshua Dieker, District Representative 

                                               
                                                    Frank DeNinno

Too often, our office hears troubling stories from distressed constituents. There are people who are having difficulty making ends meet because of an error in their Social Security benefits. There are people who are having difficulty getting the medical care they need because of a problem with Medicare or the VA. All of these cases are important, and everyone affected faces serious problems as a result. However, rarely do we hear a story that is in such dire need for help as was brought to us by Frank DeNinno.

Mr. DeNinno sent us a letter at the end of July stating he had applied for Disability Benefits more than five years prior and was still waiting. Social Security Disability Benefits are available to adults who are unable to work as a result of a disability. If a person is qualified for Disability, five years is an inconceivable amount of time to have to wait. That is five years without any income. Mr. DeNinno’s letter indicated that he had run out of other options and was actually living in his car.

However, without a way to call him or an address to send him mail, it was difficult for our office to stay in contact with Mr. DeNinno. Fortunately, we received a call the next day from an advocate at the Resource Center for Independent Living (RCIL) on Mr. DeNinno’s behalf. RCIL had been working with Mr. DeNinno to help him find any resources that were available, but had begun to run out of options. We began communicating with Mr. DeNinno through the RCIL and by email, which he accessed at the public library, as we worked towards getting his case resolved.

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Letter of the Week - Nancy Calls for Investigation into Financial Crisis

Dear Representative Boyda,

In light of America's recent investment of tax dollars in our financial sector, it is time for elected officials to improve oversight over financial and other essential services. Not only must we hold financial corporations accountable, it is time to reexamine our regulatory failure in many arenas.

In the last several years we have witnessed regulatory failures in areas as diverse as food and drug safety to mortgage and credit card lending. The failure of our system of financial oversight is the most recent--and striking--example of a failure to put people before corporations and enforce fair rules for everyone.

We are now at an historic crossroads, and I'm calling on you to embrace what has been out of style for some time for many elected officials--strong and independent government oversight that assures a competitive, fair, transparent marketplace and intervenes appropriately when individuals cannot protect themselves.

Gina in Lawrence

Dear Gina,

I have heard from countless constituents frustrated over our nation’s current economic crisis. They are upset that they must carry the burden of failing financial institutions and want to know why the government is not demanding more transparency and accountability from the parties involved. I agree. Taxpayers deserve to know the truth. There needs to be a thorough investigation into the financial institutions, corporations, and individuals suspected of criminal acts contributing to this economic crisis. Any criminal activity should be brought to light and any perpetrators should face the consequences for violating the laws of our land.

As many of you know I voted against the first Wall Street bailout because the experts I met with told me that it was unlikely to repair the damage in our credit markets and very unlikely to fix the problems in the broader economy. With a price tag of $700 billion, it has left us with fewer options to fix the underlying problems.

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This Week in Congress – October 21 to 24

I met with members of the Kansas Association of Broadcasters Tuesday morning. Later that day, I met with Neil Tischauser of Topeka. Fortunately, my office had been able to assist him in submitting a dire need request to get his Social Security disability case expedited. Mr. Tischhauser came into the Topeka district office to meet with me after receiving a favorable decision at his expedited hearing. That afternoon, I drove to Leavenworth to attend the VA Advisory Board meeting.

I drove to Pomona Wednesday morning to meet with middle and high school students. I later attended a rally to end domestic violence hosted by the Topeka YWCA. I gave remarks at the rally that was held at the old Polk Elementary School here in Topeka. After the rally, Representative Dennis Moore and I met in his Overland Park office with representatives from Embarq.

I visited the National Weather Service offices in Topeka on Thursday. That afternoon, I was in Lawrence for the ribbon cutting for the Structural Biology Center at KU.

During the noon hour on Friday, I spoke to the local NARFE (National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association) chapter and then went on to attend a naturalization ceremony at the Frank Carlson Federal Building in Topeka.