Congressman-elect Kevin Yoder
3rd District of Kansas

Wednesday, January 5, 2011
10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
214 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515

For more information or to RSVP, please contact Emma at emma@yoderforcongress.com

Please note that tickets to the Congressional Swearing-In Ceremony are not available

KANSAS LOSING CLOUT?…. NOT SO FAST…
Pompeo, Yoder, and Jenkins Tapped to Join Top House Committees in Next Congress

WASHINGTON – The storyline throughout 2010 read that with Kansas losing three House Members to retirement or a shift to the Senate, the state was set to take a step back when it came to influence on Capitol Hill. Well, you might want to take another look, because the initial round of committee selection has, in fact, granted the great state of Kansas tremendous clout in the incoming Congress. For the first time in decades, and perhaps ever, Kansas will have a Member of Congress on each of the top three House Committees. 

Thursday night, it was announced that three Kansas lawmakers would be joining “A” committees in the 112th Congress. Congressman-elect Kevin Yoder (KS-03) was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman-elect Mike Pompeo (KS-04), to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (KS-02), to the House Ways and Means Committee.  The trio of two freshmen and one sophomore who stand to exhibit remarkable influence in the 112th Congress released the following statements.

“It is an honor to be selected to serve on this critical committee and to be a part of such a strong Kansas delegation,” said Congressman-elect Kevin Yoder. “The American people spoke loud and clear on November 2nd-they want to limit the size of government, reduce the tax burden and help small businesses create jobs.  It’s time we get our nation’s fiscal house in order and I look forward to rolling up my sleeves alongside my colleagues to do just that.”

“As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, I will fight to open markets for the aviation industry in Kansas, preserve telecommunications competition, repeal Obamacare, and secure America’s energy future,” Pompeo said.  “I look forward to working with the rest of the Kansas delegation as we help lead our nation in a positive direction.”

“This is a great day for the people of Kansas and I am humbled to be placed into a position to help craft legislation that can get Kansan back to work.” Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins said. As the Dean of the Kansas House delegation and a new Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, I look forward to working with Rep.-Elect Yoder and Rep. Elect Pompeo as well as Rep.-Elect Tim Huelskamp to develop responsible measures that will create private sector jobs, shrink the size, scope and cost of the Federal Government, and bring common sense Kansas values to Washington.”

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Contact:
Alissa McCurley
alissa@yoderforcongress.com

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Contact:
Alissa McCurley
alissa@yoderforcongress.com

Congressman-Elect Kevin Yoder’s Statement on the Extension of Tax Relief

Overland Park, KS- Today Congressman-Elect Kevin Yoder released the following statement regarding the extension of the tax relief that was passed in 2001/2003.

“Raising taxes on any individual, family or business in the midst of these trying economic times would be fundamentally wrong and unwise,” said Congressman-Elect Kevin Yoder. “However, a temporary extension of these tax cuts simply kicks the can down the road, and businesses and job creators here in Kansas will remain uncertain. I am eager to get to work in January and fight to make this tax relief permanent. Allowing all Americans to keep more of their hard-earned money is the first step to restoring a vibrant American economy.”

Kevin Yoder was elected to the U.S. Congress on November 2, 2010. Kevin will be sworn into office in the 112th Congress on January 5, 2011 to represent Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District.

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Contact:
Alissa McCurley
alissa@yoderforcongress.com

Congressman-elect Yoder Votes for Ban on Earmarks

Washington, D.C. – Today Congressman-elect Kevin Yoder voted in favor of the House Republican Conference resolution to ban congressional earmarks.  Under this resolution, no Member shall request a congressional earmark, limited tax benefit or limited tariff benefit.  This resolution passed unanimously. 

“Today is a new day in Washington,” said Congressman-elect Kevin Yoder.  “With this resolution we have begun the process of eliminating wasteful spending and getting our nation’s fiscal house in order. On the campaign trail I pledged to fight for fiscal responsibility and eliminating earmarks is a crucial step.” 

Kevin Yoder is the Congressman-elect from Kansas’ 3rd District.  On November 2, Yoder, the Republican candidate, won the Congressional election by a 21% margin over his Democratic opponent.  Kevin lives in Overland Park with his wife Brooke.

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By DAVID KLEPPER
The Star’s Topeka correspondent

After 12 years in Democratic hands, Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District seat went back to the Republicans on Tuesday, helping shift the balance of power in Washington.

GOP candidate Kevin Yoder easily dispatched Democrat Stephene Moore 59 percent to 38 percent and reclaimed the seat for Republicans for the first time since Moore’s husband, U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore, won it in 1998. The district includes Johnson and Wyandotte counties and part of Douglas County.

“We have waited 12 long years to win this seat,” Yoder told a jubilant crowd of supporters in Overland Park. “How sweet is the taste of victory. … We are part of a historic election tonight, an election that folks are going to talk about for generations.”

The race’s key issues were the economy and the size of government, with Yoder promising to fight onerous regulations and taxes. He repeatedly linked Moore to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, noting that Moore supports the health care law and efforts to curb carbon emissions through cap and trade, while she opposed making the Bush tax cuts permanent.

It was a hard-fought race that turned negative at the end, but Moore, a nurse running her first campaign for public office, said she wished Yoder well.

“I will ask him to do the best job he can,” she said with a smile. “He’ll have to remember — I’m a constituent.”

Libertarian Jasmin Talbert won only 3 percent of the vote, despite a relatively aggressive campaign for a third-party candidate. Talbert often won the most applause during the race’s many debates. But without the visibility of the major parties, she said, she couldn’t get her message out.

“I enjoyed talking to the voters, and it was very educational,” Talbert said. “But I’m not sure I will do this again. Honestly — and please print this — it’s obvious that money buys politics and not ideas.”

When Moore announced his retirement from Congress it set off a firestorm of interest. Yoder beat nine Republicans in a crowded August primary.

As he watched Tuesday’s results come in, Yoder reflected on what it was like to be a part of such a sweeping referendum on congressional Democrats.

“It’s surreal,” he said. “It came down to which direction we want to take the country and what we believe the role of the federal government should be. It’s an awesome responsibility to be a part of this movement.”

Other races:

•In Kansas’ 2nd District, Republican U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins cruised to a second term late Tuesday, beating Democrat Cheryl Hudspeth 63 percent to 33 percent with more than 98 percent of precincts reporting.

After only two years in Congress, Jenkins, of Topeka, will become Kansas’ senior U.S. representative. Her district includes Leavenworth, Topeka, Manhattan, parts of Douglas County and southeast Kansas.

“Thank you, Kansans!” Jenkins tweeted to her supporters at 10 p.m. “A new majority headed to Washington!”

•Wichita-area voters favored Republican Mike Pompeo in the 4th District race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Todd Tiahrt. Pompeo was beating Democratic state Rep. Raj Goyle 58 percent to 37 percent, with 73 percent of precincts counted.

•And in western Kansas’ sprawling 1st District, Republican state Sen. Tim Huelskamp of Fowler was beating Democrat Alan Jilka of Salina 74 percent to 23 percent with 85 percent of precincts reporting. The winner replaces Republican U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran, who was elected to the U.S. Senate.

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/11/02/2385431/yoder-rolling-toward-victory-in.html

Republican Kevin Yoder, who is leaving the Kansas House, is quick-witted and thoughtful, and could be a force in Congress. He’s developed his political skills in state politics, giving him the edge to take over the seat being vacated by longtime congressman Dennis Moore, a Democrat.

Stephene Moore, a nurse and former business owner, is the opposition in this race, and many of her positions line up closely with those taken by this newspaper. But Moore’s role as spouse to the incumbent can’t make up for her lack of experience in elective office, which makes it difficult to choose her over Yoder, who has advanced a political career in a more traditional fashion.

Yoder, who has moved consistently to the right over the years, must stick to his promise to consider the diversity of a district including both Johnson and Wyandotte counties, as well as part of Douglas, and his pledge to improve bipartisanship.

He’s at his best when he steps away from simplistic talking points and talks candidly about his vision for growing the economy and shrinking the deficit.

If he carries through with his promise to listen to his district, Yoder will do well for his long-frustrated Republican Party that failed to capture this seat with a series of too-far-to-the-right or underqualified candidates. Libertarian Jasmin Talbert also is on the ballot.

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/10/16/2320803/kansas-voters-should-choose-solutions.html#ixzz12lEOUHTD

Yoder, the Clear Choice for Congress

Written by Steve Rose, Co-Publisher   
Wednesday, October 13 2010
 
Democrat Dennis Moore successfully ran for the U.S. Congress six times, and we endorsed him all six times.

Were Dennis Moore to run again, against Republican Kevin Yoder, this time we would not have endorsed Moore. We would have endorsed Kevin Yoder.
 
So, it is only logical to conclude that if Dennis Moore were not acceptable in his seventh try, his wife, Stephene, is not acceptable in her first try, particularly since her views are very close to those of Dennis Moore.
 
Why are we abandoning ship on the Moores? There is one overriding reason, and that is we yearn for balance in our government. The nation, governed by a Democratic president, House and Senate, has steered the country too far left.
 
In particular, Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, represents the most liberal wing of the Democratic Party. And we just cannot imagine another two years with her in charge of Congress.
 
One example speaks volumes about Stephene Moore’s and Nancy Pelosi’s priorities. We strongly disagree with Stephene Moore on a bill in Congress known as card check, which she favors, and Dennis Moore co-sponsored. If passed, the ballot of each individual who votes on whether to unionize would be open for all to see, leading to possible harassment and intimidation by union leaders and peers. Furthermore, if a majority of cards are pro-union, then a union is automatically formed, without any arbitration, as it is now. This may sell with the unions, but it is frightening for Johnson County, where unions are usually kept at bay. We don’t need unions running our Congress.
 
In past years, we have endorsed Dennis Moore because in almost every race, the Republicans put up a far-right candidate. Kevin Yoder is not far-right. We have watched him in the Kansas House of Representatives, and we can say with confidence Kevin Yoder is from the center right of his party. He should be very acceptable to independents as well as Republicans.
 
At age 34, Kevin Yoder, an attorney, has already proven himself to be a leader. He was president of the student body at the University of Kansas, and in the Kansas House, he rose quickly to one of the most influential chairmanships, the Appropriations Committee.
 
But even more important is that as a Republican member of the House of Representatives, Kevin Yoder’s first vote would undoubtedly not be a vote for Nancy Pelosi, who apparently believes the best government is the biggest government. He would, hopefully, be a part of a new Republican majority in the House, which would offset a very liberal Democratic president and likely a liberal Democratic Senate.
 
The country has lurched too far left for our taste. A vote for Kevin Yoder could help bring things back to the center.

http://sunpublications.com/201010135087/steve-rose-memo-archives/yoder-the-clear-choice-for-congress.html