During an Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services hearing last week, I heard testimony from new IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. I used my alotted time to ask Commissioner Koskinen about the concerns millions of Americans have regarding actions taken by the IRS to view private personal emails without first obtaining a warrant or just cause. I am leading efforts to fix this breach of 4th Amendment rights with my bill, the Email Privacy Act. You can read more by clicking here.

 

 

Commissioner Koskinen also gave us an update on IRS efforts to reform their protocol to ensure tax-exempt groups are no longer targeted by auditors based on political beliefs or affiliation. Many Americans remember last year the IRS targeted mostly conservative groups for increased scrutiny. This week Lois Lerner is to being subpoenaed to testify on Capitol Hill as the investigation continues. The House also voted last week and passed H.R. 3865 - the Stop Targeting of Political Beliefs by the IRS by a vote of 243-176. I voted "Yes."

 

Click here, or on the image above, to view my full remarks.

 

Also during the hearing, I asked Commissioner Koskinen a question from John Martin, a CPA in Overland Park, about how the IRS can be less adversarial towards well-intentioned professional tax preparers and taxpayers who want to navigate the IRS without fear of penalty from unintended mistakes or misinterpretations of rules. You can watch our exchange on John's question by clicking here. 

A new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) report released last week suggests more bad news for America's already struggling small businesses.

 

The report predicts "Obamacare could cause premiums to increase for nearly two-thirds of small to mid-size businesses. This results in roughly 11 million individuals whose premiums are estimated to be higher as a result of the Affordable Care Act."

 

The Affordable Care Act is continuing to cause Americans stress and concern due to higher premium costs and confusing deadlines and guidelines. The House will continue to work to alleviate these complications, including by working to delay penalties mandated on individuals. These penalties have already been delayed for some businesses, unions and special interest groups. We should have fairness for all Americans under this flawed law.

 

Click here to read more.

I was honored to attend and speak at the 2014 National Down Syndrome Society Congressional Breakfast last week. It’s important to me to energetically support legislation that serves people with Down syndrome and their families – giving them all the dignity they deserve. 

 

 

I’m a proud cosponsor of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act and will continue to do all I can to advance this legislation in Congress. Thank you to Jawanda and Rachel Mast of Olathe, as well as the Down Syndrome Guild of Greater Kansas City, for their work and advocacy for Down syndrome awareness.

 

Americans with Down syndrome live active and productive lives with their families and communities, and doing what we can to support these individuals will only enhance everyone’s life experiences.

I spoke last week on the House floor after returning to Washington following the District Work Period. I relayed how Kansans continue to voice their frustration to me about a federal government that creates more problems than it fixes and builds too many barriers to success for those working to achieve the American Dream.

 

The House must continue its work to pass legislation that increases opportunities for all Americans and encourages the drive and ingenuity that builds our great nation. Click here, or on the image above, to watch my full remarks.

I held a telephone town hall last week and appreciated the feedback I received from constituents in the 3rd District who participated. I use telephone town halls as one more avenue to connect with thousands of Kansans in addition to regular town hall meetings in the district.

 

Participants asked questions on a wide range of topics during the call, including tax reform, immigration, the national debt and federal budget, early childhood education, the President's proposed cuts to the military and veterans and more.

 

 

I appreciated the feedback I received from constituents and value the input I heard. Thank you for taking some time during your evening to join our call.

It was a pleasure to visit with members of the Kansas Wing Civil Air Patrol. We discussed their role and courageous actions to protect our state and country during times of need, such as disaster relief. We also spoke about the Civil Air Patrol Cadets Program and the great young men and women in their program. The three primary mission objectives of the Civil Air Patrol are aerospace education, cadet programs and training and emergency services.

 

Thank you for your work on behalf of Kansans and for your great service to Americans.

It was a privilege to spend time last Monday with the Senior Government Classes at Spring Hill High School from Spring Hill U.S.D. 230. We spent time discussing issues facing our country and why it’s important to be involved and make a difference in their school, neighborhood community, state, and country.

 

Thank you to Mr. Curtis Allen, Government Teacher, for the invitation, and thank you to all the students for their excellent questions. Go Broncos!

We are accepting entries for the 2014 Congressional Art Competition. Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent across the nation from each Congressional district. The winning entry will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC.

 

All interested high school students should click here to read more information about how to submit your art work.