Democrats Impose Their Will on the American People
Despite the Democrat’s passing their health care bill and President Obama signing it into law this week, folks around the nation continue to oppose that plan because they know there is a better way to reform health care. I agree. Unfortunately, the Democrat majority was able to impose their will, not the will of the American people, on each one of us by passing their government takeover of health care.

Article 1, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power “to regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several states, and with the Indian tribes.” But, nowhere in the U.S. Constitution did our founding fathers give Congress the authority to regulate commerce between individuals. Requiring all citizens to purchase health insurance or pay a penalty for failing to do so appears to be in violation of that clause. That is why this week I asked Kansas Attorney General Steve Six to join his colleagues around the nation in challenging the constitutionality of this legislation and to protect Kansans from this massive intrusion by the federal government.

This is not a Democrat issue, and it is not a Republican issue. This is an American issue, and the decision to challenge the constitutionality of this bill should not be based on politics. But I can think of no greater obligation of our state’s attorney general than to defend the U.S. Constitution, and I hope he moves forward on this challenge in a timely manner.

Kansans want health care reform, but they do not want this bill. That is why I support efforts to repeal it and replace it with a more responsible plan. I support H.R. 4904 that would prohibit funding for implementation and enforcement of any Federal mandate to purchase health insurance. But simply repealing the flawed Democrat’s health care bill is not enough. I will continue supporting a plan that will reduce premiums and make health care more accessible without destroying what works for millions of Americans.

Health care reform is one of the biggest issues this Congress will take up, and it is critical to each and every American. That is why it is so important that we do this the right way. Two out of every three Americans wants Republicans to continue fighting this government takeover of health care, but that is not enough. Over the past year we’ve seen folks around the nation engage in this process, and I strongly encourage you to continue your efforts as I continue mine. Together we can be successful. Together we can pass responsible health care reform. Together we can turn our nation around. Together we must fight to defend the U.S. Constitution and protect the liberties and freedoms each of us enjoy.

GSA Lodging Per Diem Increase in Leavenworth is Great News for Community
The work that occurs at federal entities in Leavenworth County and the folks who travel there from across the United States are vital to economy of the City of Leavenworth and Leavenworth County. So when I learned that the per diem rate for those who travel to Leavenworth was significantly lower than neighboring communities, I contacted the General Services Administration (GSA) about this inequity and asked them to update their outdated lodging expenses. According to the GSA schedule for lodging per diem rates, the rate for the City of Leavenworth and Leavenworth County was $70 per night. This meant that federal employees could not be reimbursed for any lodging expenses over $70 per night. However, locations just across the Wyandotte County line were at a significantly higher rate of $107 per night. I was very pleased to learn this week that GSA agreed to update the current per diem rates in Leavenworth County. This decision will not only make it more convenient for folks traveling to Leavenworth for work, but it will also save the federal government money by not having to pay mileage for longer commutes. It will also generate growth in the Leavenworth economy.

Don’t Forget: Jobs Fair on April 19
My staff and I are continuing to make plans and work with local employers on the upcoming jobs fair we’re hosting on April 19 at Ag Hall at the Kansas Expocenter. At just less than one month out, I am very pleased that we’ve had approximately 50 employers register for the fair, and on average, each employer has between four and five open positions. The jobs fair is open to the public and I encourage you to attend. Also, if you have a friend or loved one who is looking for employment, I hope you will tell them about this opportunity to find work. For more information about the jobs fair, please visit my website at www.lynnjenkins.house.gov/jobsfair or call my Topeka office at (785) 234-5966.

Spending Time in Kansas during Easter District Work Period
I am looking forward to spending the next two weeks in Kansas during the congressional district work period. A few upcoming highlights include a Monday trip to Manhattan to visit a few businesses and stop by K-State (Go Cats!). On Tuesday, I’ll join Senators Brownback and Roberts and folks from EPA and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to tour the Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) infrastructure in Atchison. While I’m in Atchison I also look forward to visiting Benedictine College’s campus and meeting with the school’s president Steve Minnis. Later in the recess, I will also be taking do a tour of farms in Neodesha and Fredonia as well as checking in at Fort Leavenworth.

My schedule is still being completed, and the events I’ve mentioned are just a few highlights. I will also be spending time in my district office. If you have an event or meeting you would like me to attend, please call my Topeka office at (785) 234-5966.

Kansas Visitors in Washington
It was great to meet John "Jay" Gibson who was in Washington on behalf of Hawker Beechcraft. Leila McKenzie, a medical student, who was representing the American Podiatric Medical Association. I was honored to meet finalists in the American Essay Contest Scott Brackey, junior at Seaman High School in Topeka, and Timothy Cahill, senior from Lansing, Kansas. Gary Townson, Kelly McCartney, Will McIntyre, Steve Cartwright, Larry Ewing, Corey and Shelby Wadell and Dawn Neece dropped by on behalf of the National Association of Postal Supervisors. Tauna Spain, Steve Reitan, Eric Guerrero and Anthony Everett stopped by with the Flint Hills Jobs Corps. Center.

Michael Lerner and Audrey Asher stopped by with AIPAC to talk about the importance of the special relationship between the United States and Israel. Thom Thull, Judi Stork and Kevin Glendening stopped by on behalf of the Office of the State Bank Commissioner of Kansas to talk about regulatory reform. It was great visiting with Carlos Gomez, Dale Smick, Andrea Allison Putnam, Gabe Munoz and Nilson Goes who are all members of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Kansas City. Kathy Faircloth, Dick Veach, Catherine Moyer, Steve Davis, Rhonda Goddard, Kendall Mikesell and Terry Force stopped by to talk about expanding broadband service in Kansas.

Rod Holub of Manhattan stopped by to talk about postal issues on behalf of the Kansas State Association of Letter Carriers. I had a great discussion with Bill Hanson and Sherill Tubbs about crop insurance. Larry Owens of Leavenworth stopped by to talk about insurance issues. Dave Christiansen, Myron Both, Merrile Lyons and John Romines stopped by to talk about farmer cooperatives and issues affecting production agriculture. Carolyn Benitez and Richard Lopez stopped by with the SER Corporation to talk about the National Farm Worker Job Program. It was great to meet Brian Burton of Manhattan who is in Washington with the National Young Leaders Conference.

Chris Leaton and Steve Starrett stopped by with the American Society of Civil Engineers. I had the honor of meeting with the Kansas Intern Program participants. Students in the program this semester include Megan Adams, Derek Blair, Kathleen Bole, Francesca Chambers, Katelyn Cofer, Alexander Davis, Christina Garcia, Matthew Lanning, Michael Maddox, Adam Magargee, Derek Martin, Megan Shackelford, Samantha Speer, Mandy Shriwise, Dan Thompson and John Thompson from KU and Veronica Ndambi and William Brichacek from Wichita State. I had a great meeting with Norton Bonaparte, John Dicus, Shelly Buhler, Coleen Jennison, Neil Dobler, Bob Archer, Karen Hiller and Doug Kinsinger, who are all leaders in Topeka to talk about their legislative priorities and so they could update me about projects in Topeka.

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