WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins joined House Republicans today to launch America Speaking Out, a project to engage Americans across the country and give them a voice in creating a new agenda in Congress.  
 
“There is an arrogance in Washington, D.C., and the current leadership has lost touch with the folks who sent them here,” Jenkins said. “That is why I am proud to join House Republicans to launch “America Speaking Out” to return the focus in Washington to what is in the best interest of the American people and to restore openness and transparency to Congress.”
 
Congresswoman Jenkins will join House Republicans in hosting town hall meetings to solicit policy ideas and priorities from the American people, regardless of party affiliation. Individuals will also have the opportunity to participate in an online forum to generate ideas and debate public policy at www.AmericaSpeakingOut.com. Over time, House Republicans will produce a new agenda for America guided by the priorities of the American people. On Tuesday, June 1, 2010, Congresswoman Jenkins will host her first America Speaking Out townhall meeting in Parsons at the Municipal Auditorium at 5:00 p.m. CST.
 
Rather than a typical townhall where Congresswoman Jenkins spends the majority of the time answering questions, this townhall meeting will be centered on Congresswoman Jenkins listening to Kansans’ ideas. She will also give individuals who participate in the townhall meeting the opportunity to record a short video to share their ideas with folks around the nation.
 
Jenkins continued, “The genius of America does not lie in Washington, and rather than continuing down a path dictated by special interests and Washington politicians, America Speaking Out seeks to return the focus in Washington to doing what’s best for our entire nation. Folks around the nation do not trust Congress to do what is best for them, and it is time for that to change. I am determined to work to rebuild that trust, and I look forward to hearing from Kansans and working with them to move our state and our nation forward.”