Biography

Representative Kevin Yoder is a 5th generation Kansan who grew up on a grain and livestock farm in rural Kansas near a town called Yoder. It was on the family farm that Representative Yoder learned the true value of hard work and where he saw first-hand the ingenuity and prairie spirit that makes Kansas such a special place. 

On January 5, 2011, Representative Yoder was sworn in to serve his first term as a Member of the 112th Congress.  Representative Yoder was selected as one of only three freshmen to serve on the House Appropriations Committee, the committee responsible for allocating federal spending.  He also serves on the Financial Services, Commerce, Justice and Science and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittees.  Representative Yoder is focused on balancing the federal budget, reducing the national debt and supporting policies that help private sector job growth. He begins his second term in the House of Representatives in January 2013.

During his first term in Congress, Representative Yoder received several accolades and awards for his voting record and support of various issues; these include recognition as the 2012 Head Start Kansas State Children’s Champion Award; a National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) Guardian of Small Business; the U.S. Chamber of Commerce “Spirit of Enterprise” award; the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Award for Legislative Excellence. Additionally, Representative Yoder and Representative Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO) jointly were included in the inaugural class to receive the 2012 Consensus Civility Award.

Representative Yoder has also been appointed by Speaker of the House John Boehner to serve on the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees. Gallaudet University, located in Washington, DC, is the world’s only liberal arts university for the deaf and hard of hearing.

Prior to being elected to Congress, Representative Yoder served as a State Representative in the Kansas Legislature, representing Leawood and Overland Park. Representative Yoder chaired the House Appropriations Committee where he led the effort to cut spending, balance the Kansas state budget, and oppose tax increases.

The 3rd Congressional District of Kansas includes Johnson County, Wyandotte County and part of Douglas County. Congressman Yoder is a proud graduate of the University of Kansas where he received degrees in Political Science, English, and law. He lives in Overland Park with his wife, Brooke.