September 15, 2014

Defeating Terrorist Organization ISIL

Last week, President Obama spoke to the American people to outline his strategy to combat the “Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant,” or ISIL
 
ISIL is a threat to American interests both at home and abroad. As our nation remembered the tragic events of September 11th last week, we are reminded that there are those throughout the world who seek to disrupt our American way of life.
 
I briefly discussed the threat ISIL poses and how we must handle this threat against our nation on KSHB 41 Action News Thursday. I will continue to closely monitor this situation and work with my colleagues to implement a strategy that allows our military to protect American lives. Legislation to consider authorization of force is slated to come before the House this week. However, as this situation continues to unfold, please don’t hesitate to contact my office to express your concerns.
 
Watch the clip by clicking on the image above or here.

Remembering September 11

Click the image above, or here, to watch Congressman Yoder's one minute speech honoring the 13th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. 

I took a moment to honor and remember our families and friends who lost their lives in the horrific attacks on September 11, 2001 on the House floor last week. Last Thursday marked the 13th anniversary of the attacks and once again we paused to remember the innocent lives lost at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and the heroes on Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. The same day also marked two years since we lost four Americans at the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, Libya. 
 
I also paid tribute to the first responders who selflessly worked to save their fellow Americans and the brave men and women who answered the call of duty and have courageously joined the Armed Forces to defend our freedom.
 
September 11, 2001, changed our great nation. It awakened us to the ever-present threat by those who wish to attack our country and its citizens, but it also stiffened our resolve and unified our nation. Immediately after the horrific attacks, we came together as a nation, the American spirit running high and we emerged more determined and stronger than ever before. Our American spirit is enduring and our leadership in the world remains the strongest tool we have against terror.
 

Organ Transplant Changes Negatively Impacting Kansans  

I wrote a letter, with more than 50 of my colleagues in the House, to Administrator Mary Wakefield, of the Health Resources and Services Administration, expressing concerns regarding a concept paper released by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) Liver and Intestine Committee that would change the rules governing the allocation of livers for transplant.
 
As I mentioned in my previous e-newsletter, I’ve met with the University of Kansas Hospital Transplant Center and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to discuss the proposed changes and the negative impact they will have not only on Kansans, but other patients in the Midwest region
 
Due to the donor shortage rates across the east and west coasts, there is an effort to redistribute organs from the Midwest to lower donor areas particularly on the east coast. This proposal does nothing to increase the amount of donations and may have the opposite result moving organs out of the communities within which they are donated. In particular, this would limit the organ availability to other programs, including the Center for Transplantation at the University of Kansas Hospital Center
 
The full text of the letter can be found by visiting my website or clicking here.
 
From the Associated Press
 

National Endowment for the Arts 

I enjoyed meeting with Jane Chu, Chairwoman of the National Endowment for the Arts, in my Washington, D.C. office last Wednesday. Jane was nominated to head the NEA by President Obama earlier this year. Previously, she served as CEO and president of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in Kansas City. Jane has made a positive impact on the greater Kansas City area community and I am confident she will continue her great work for the arts at the national level.
 
Thank you, Chairwoman Jane Chu for your continued advocacy for the arts.

Kansas Automobile Dealers Association 

I enjoyed meeting with the Kansas Automobile Dealers Association last week in my Washington, D.C. office. We had a great conversation about the success of their industry and all the jobs they’ve created throughout the state. In addition, we discussed how we can work together to ensure overregulation doesn’t affect their ability to boost the economy and create more jobs for Kansans. 
 
Congressman Yoder and the Kansas Automobile Dealers Association met to discuss the industry and regulations coming from Washington that might hinder their business.

U.S. Service Academy Nominations

 
I have the privilege of nominating a limited number of students to four of the five U.S. Service Academies. These prestigious Academies are open to all 17-23 year olds who desire academic rigor and service above self. The application deadline is October 1st.
 
There are five service academies:
• U.S. Military Academy, located in West Point, New York
• U.S. Naval Academy, located in Annapolis, Maryland
• U.S. Air Force Academy, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado
• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, located in Kings Point, New York
• U.S. Coast Guard Academy, located in New London, Connecticut
 
Click here for more information, or contact my office at (913) 621-0832 to request additional information about the nomination packet.

Kansas State Society 

I had the distinct pleasure of introducing Rob Riggle before the Kansas State Society last week. Rob was honored as the Kansas State Society’s 2014 Kansan of the Year. He is truly deserving of the award. Rob is a great ambassador to Kansas and hails from the 3rd District. Rob is a retired United States Marine Corps Reserve Officer, where he served our country for more than 20 years. In addition, Rob is a graduate of Shawnee Mission South High School and the University of Kansas. Rob continues to give back to Kansans through Big Slick, a charity he founded to raise money for Children’s Mercy Hospital.
 
Congressman Yoder congratulates the Kansas State Society’s 2014 Kansan of the Year, Rob Riggle. Rock Chalk!

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Fact of the Week:

Our National Anthem, the Star Spangled Banner, turned 200 last week. Francis Scott Key wrote the lyrics that millions of Americans sing today.

Upcoming Staff Community Office Hours

My staff can assist you from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday in my Overland Park office. They can help with any issues or concerns, as well as to provide assistance with federal agencies and programs including, Veterans' Affairs, Medicare, Social Security, Passports, and Visas.
 
My staff also holds Community Staff Office Hours throughout the district. If you are unable to visit my office, please consider coming to the following location if it is more convenient for you:
 
Wednesday, October 1st 
Argentine Library – Front Conference Room
3104 Strong Avenue 
Kansas City, Kansas 
Noon – 1:00 p.m.

The Leader's Weekly Schedule for the Week of September 15:

Legislation Considered Under Suspension of the Rules:
 
H.R. 4771 – Designer Anabolic Steroid Control Act, as amended 
S. 2154 – Emergency Medical Services for Children Reauthorization Act of 2014
H.R. 83 – To require the Secretary of the Interior to assemble a team of technical, policy, and financial experts to address the energy needs of the insular areas of the United States and the Freely Associated States through the development of action plans aimed at reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels and increasing use of indigenous clean-energy resources, and for other purposes, as amended
S. 1086 – Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014, as amended 
H.R. 5108 – To establish the Law School Clinic Certification Program of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and for other purposes 
H.R. 5405 – Promoting Job Creation and Reducing Small Business Burdens Act, as amended 
H.R. 3374 – American Savings Promotion Act, as amended
H.R. ____ – Insurance Capital Standards Clarification Act of 2014
H.R. 2866 – Boys Town Centennial Commemorative Coin Act, as amended
H.R. 2996 – Revitalize American Manufacturing and Innovation Act of 2013, as amended 
H.R. 3593 – The VA Construction Assistance Act of 2014, as amended
H.R. 5404 – Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2014, as amended
H.R. 4276 – Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Improvement Act of 2014
S. 2258 – Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2014
H.R. 24 – Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2013
H.R. 5169 – Senior Executive Service Accountability Act, as amended
H.R.5170 – Federal Records Accountability Act of 2014, as amended
H.R. 5418 – To prohibit officers and employees of the Internal Revenue Service from using personal email accounts to conduct official business
H.R. 5419 – To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a right to an administrative appeal relating to adverse determinations of tax-exempt status of certain organizations 
H.R. 5420 –To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permit the release of information regarding the status of certain investigations 
H.R. 3043 – Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act of 2013 
H.R. 495 – Free File Program Act of 2014, as amended 
H.R. 4994 – Improving Medicare Post-Acute Care Transformation (IMPACT) Act of 2014, as amended 
H.R. ___ – To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide for limitations on the fees charged to passengers of air carriers 
H.J. Res. 124 – Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2015 (Subject to a Rule)
H.R. ___ – American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act (Subject to a Rule) 
H.R. ___ – Jobs for America Act (Subject to a Rule)

Votes from Last Week

Click on the specific bill number or the vote total to read more information about each vote in the House last week.
 
H. Res. 715 — "Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5078) to preserve existing rights and responsibilities with respect to waters of the United States, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 644) condemning and disapproving of the Obama administration's failure to comply with the lawful statutory requirement to notify Congress before releasing individuals detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and expressing national security concerns over the release of five Taliban leaders and the repercussions of negotiating with terrorists." I voted "Yes" on this resolution and it was adopted 229–179.
 
Final Adoption of H. Res. 644 — "Condemning and disapproving of the Obama administration's failure to comply with the lawful statutory requirement to notify Congress before releasing individuals detained at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and expressing national security concerns over the release of five Taliban leaders and the repercussions of negotiating with terrorists." I voted "Yes" on this resolution and it was adopted 249–163
 
Final Passage of H.R. 5078 — "To preserve existing rights and responsibilities with respect to waters of the United States, and for other purposes." I voted "Yes" on this bill and it passed 262–152
 
Final Passage of H.R. 3522 — "To authorize health insurance issuers to continue to offer for sale current group health insurance coverage in satisfaction of the minimum essential health insurance coverage requirement, and for other purposes." I voted "Yes" on this bill and it passed 247–167.
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