Time To Get Solutions to the President’s Desk:

On Tuesday, I was honored to be reelected to represent the Second Congressional District of Kansas in the upcoming 114th Congress. This year, Kansans sent a clear message to Washington that they are tired of the political games and gridlock in Washington. With new Senate leadership, I am confident they will join the House in our efforts to get things done and get our country back on the right track.

I also hope this new sessionwill present an opportunity to finally convince the President he must work with Congress to reduce the deficit, fix our broken tax code, and bring fiscal responsibility back to our budget. I will continue my work to foster solutions that lead to better jobs and get our economy healthy again. But most importantly, my priority is to ensure Eastern Kansans voices are heard each and every day in Washington.

United States Marine Returns Home

I heard from a great number of Kansans when news broke that US Marine sergeant Andrew Tahmooressi was being detained in El Hongo II prison in Tecate, Mexico on dubious gun charges. After learning about the situation and the reports of alleged abuse and poor prison conditions, I cosponsored legislation that called for his immediate release and return to the United States.

I am happy to report that as of this week, Marine sergeant Tahmooressi has returned home to his family and can now receive the medical treatment he needs. After serving to protect our freedoms, and on the eve of Veteran's Day next week, I am overjoyed to see him free and back in the United States.

Honoring Kansas Veterans Photo Submissions:

To honor all our men and women in uniform, I am collecting photos of Kansas veterans. Send a photo of your hero to my office at JenkinsPressOffice@mail.house.gov or use the hashtag #HonoringKansasVeterans. Please include their name, branch, where they served, and any additional details so we may honor them on Veteran's Day, November 11. 

The above photo submitted to my office is of Margaret (Copeland) Crane, who served in the Army from 1944-1946 as a nurse at military hospitals in Kansas and Colorado. She is the oldest woman to participate in this year’s Baxter Springs Veteran’s Day parade, and will celebrate her 91st birthday this December. Thank you for your service to this great nation.

Supreme Court Agrees to Hear Health Law Challenge:

The Supreme Court announced they will hear a new challenge to the legality of the President’s health care law subsidies. I am hopeful the Supreme Court will uphold a prior appellate court finding that the federal government has acted illegally and outside the language passed in the Affordable Care Act in 2009. This court case is evidence that the President’s health care law was poorly written, and was rushed through Congress without the kind of thoughtful deliberation a reform of this magnitude deserves.

Coming Up: Mental Health First Aid For Veterans:

On Saturday, November 22nd, I will be sponsoring a Mental Health First Aid Training Course at the University of Kansas’ Burge Union for veterans, their family members, and those who work with veterans.

This training is a valuable resource that can make a difference in the lives of more than 22 million veterans, their families, and the communities they live in. Our veterans deserve the highest quality of care upon their return home, and I am absolutely committed to making sure that their mental health is a priority. The Mental Health First Aid Training is designed to give people skills to help a veteran who may be suffering from mental illness or in emotional crisis.