Making It Through
When I left the Hill for August recess and returned to the Fifth District of Missouri, my mind couldn't help but return back to Washington D.C. and all the work that's hanging in the balance. This weekly newsletter is supposed to keep you informed about what we in Congress are doing for the betterment of all Americans but here lately, I have felt up against a wall. Now, more than ever, the country needs Congress to act…not just talk. Hurricane Harvey's devastation has left lives in shambles, homes and businesses in ruin, and families in mourning. One constant I've witnessed through the many news reports, is men and women helping others. Others whom they may have thought were their enemies before. This is how it should be. People helping people. A crisis reveals who we really are, not who we pretend to be. Although there are still many differences among us, we all want to see people live. We want to see people make it through. We will see to it that Congress enacts the federal funding needed to repair the damage left from this hurricane.
I will continue to fight for our undocumented citizens who are worried that they may not get the help they need for fear of being deported. Their only concern should be how to survive. I recently introduced legislation that would require school officials to receive youth suicide awareness and prevention training. H.R. 3552, the Cady Housh and Jason Flatt Teen Suicide Prevention Act would be a nationwide standard for all public schools if passed. The bill was also co-sponsored by my colleague across the Kansas state line, Congressman Kevin Yoder (R-KS).
I spent the August recess listening, gathering information, participating in town halls and meetings, and I even had the chance to witness, with the rest of the country, nature's phenomenon, the solar eclipse. It started with a rally during National Housing week, "Our Homes Our Voices". Thousands gathered on Capitol Hill to call for action. Affordable housing shouldn't be a luxury in America. It should be a standard way of life. We must advocate for increased federal funding for the Housing & Urban Development Department (HUD) and USDA rural housing programs to make sure people have a safe and comfortable home.
In the Fifth District, I also enjoyed meeting with area start-up companies and entrepreneurs during Start-Up America. We were able to have a productive discussion about some of the difficulties entrepreneurs face when starting their businesses.
During our Student Loan Town Hall, I heard from constituents whose lives have been burdened for years with overwhelming student debt. I'm currently working with experts in this field to lessen the burden on over 44 million Americans who are struggling with student loan debt. Too many of our children are setting aside their ambition due to the price of higher education. It's time for Congress to act.
I felt an obligation and a duty to meet with Kansas City, Missouri city leaders about the repercussions of the loss of Community Development Block Grants (CDBG). These grants are crucial to municipalities across our nation with development projects ranging from streets, maintenance projects, to community services needs such as, Meals on Wheels. President Trump has proposed reducing $100 million from the budget for CDBG for the next fiscal year. I will do all that I can to fight cuts to this program that our municipalities rely on.
President Trump's comments on the incident in Charlottesville I believe have caused more harm than good for a nation in pain from racial crisis. When he failed to condemn the white supremacists parading as patriots in Charlottesville, I expressed my disappointment in the President. There is no moral equivalency between neo-Nazis, White Supremacists and peaceful counter-protesters, period.
I've also experienced the tragedy of seeing two Missouri police officers from my district laid to rest; Officer Gary Michael and Officer Thomas Orr. May we always honor them for their commitment and their sacrifice. Next week, when I return to Washington, my goal is to get Congress moving again. It's time to get to work. The country can't wait.
Warmly,
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