{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Democrat\", state = \"KS\" and year = 2024 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-statement-bipartisan-legislation-avoid-government-shutdown-1", "Davids Statement on Bipartisan Legislation to Avoid Government Shutdown", "2024-12-20", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, after voting for bipartisan legislation that averts a government shutdown, Representative Sharice Davids released the following statement:\n\n\u201cThis bipartisan legislation averts a costly government shutdown that would have drastic consequences on Kansas families, small business owners, and our entire economy,\u201d said Davids. \u201cWhile no bill is perfect, it extends the Farm Bill, eliminates previously included congressional pay raises and reckless spending provisions, and ensures thousands of Kansans receive their paychecks during the holiday season. As we look to 2025, Congress must set aside partisanship and focus on real, bipartisan solutions that provide stability, lower costs, and protect essential services for Kansas families. That remains my commitment.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-releases-2024-year-end-wrap-highlights-bipartisan-accomplishments-and", "Davids Releases 2024 Year-End Wrap, Highlights Bipartisan Accomplishments and Community Engagement", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Image\n\nDecember 19, 2024\n\nDavids records her highest-ever bipartisanship percentage\n\nToday, Representative Sharice Davids shared how her office worked throughout 2024 to make government work for all Kansans, both by delivering bipartisan results for the Kansas Third and connecting directly with Kansans all year long. This year, Davids reached her highest-ever bipartisanship record, with 83 percent of the bills she supported having bipartisan backing.\n\n\"There\u2019s still more work to do before we close out the year, but so far, we\u2019ve made real progress for Kansas families \u2014 lowering health care costs, investing in infrastructure, and supporting small businesses \u2014 all through bipartisan efforts that put people over politics,\u201d said Davids. \u201cI\u2019m especially proud of the work my office has done to help hundreds of Kansans, whether it\u2019s recovering hard-earned benefits or navigating federal programs. I\u2019ll keep fighting for common-sense solutions that deliver real results and create opportunities for everyone in our community.\"\n\n2024 BY THE NUMBERS:\n\nStaying Connected:\n\nResponded to more than 128,000 constituent messages \u2014 communicating with an average of 351 Kansans each day.\n\nSince being sworn in, Davids has sent 820,510 responses to constituents.\n\nSent more than 623,000 text messages to constituents sharing resources and asking for feedback on how to lower costs and improve public safety.\n\nReceived 16,605 responses to three major surveys on how Kansans think Davids should lower grocery costs, work across the aisle, and boost economic opportunities.\n\nHosted 287 private constituent meetings in Kansas\u2019 Third District and Washington, D.C., listening to the priorities of Kansans.\n\nSince being sworn in, Davids has hosted 1,326 private constituent meetings.\n\nScheduled 827 U.S. Capitol tours and helped deliver 216 American Flags to Kansans, 44 of which were flown over the U.S. Capitol Building.\n\nSolving Problems:\n\nResolved 1,236 constituent cases, helping Kansans with passports, delayed veterans\u2019 or Social Security benefits, taxes, and more.\n\nSince being sworn in, Davids has helped resolve more than 7,514 constituent cases.\n\nReturned $3.5 million to constituents and local businesses in overdue tax returns, Social Security benefits, and more.\n\nSince being sworn in, Davids has helped return more than $21 million to constituents.\n\nHosted 36 Pop Up Offices in all corners of Kansas\u2019 Third District, from Kansas City, KS to Garnett, to help Kansans navigate the federal government.\n\nThese events have directly assisted 202 families in Kansas\u2019 Third District with issues ranging from Social Security to veterans' benefits.\n\nGetting Bipartisan Results:\n\nCo-sponsored 164 pieces of legislation, 83 percent of which are bipartisan.\n\nIntroduced nine original pieces of legislation, including one that passed the U.S. House to support Native American small business owners, along with others co-led or passed within larger packages.\n\nWorked three \u201cSharice\u2019s Shifts\u201d alongside local workers to highlight the impact and implementation of recent federally passed legislation, including the bipartisan infrastructure law.\n\nDavids also joined two Kansas families \u2014 one grocery shopping and another at day care pickup \u2014 to discuss rising costs and her efforts to address them.\n\nFocusing on the Third:\n\nSecured $15.8 million in federal investments for 15 projects to improve health and safety in the Third District. These projects will help purchase new law enforcement training vehicles, modernize roads and bridges, improve water access during extreme weather, and more.\n\nHosted 27 agriculture thought leaders, including former Kansas Senator Pat Roberts, for a farm tour and conversation on the successes and challenges of Kansas\u2019 farmers and producers.\n\nDavids also visited multiple other agriculture operations. She used these insights during 2023 Farm Bill reauthorization discussions.\n\nFacilitated four World Cup community conversations with local elected leaders and business professionals to ensure the Kansas City region is adequately prepared to take advantage of the economic boom brought by the 2026 World Cup, which is expected to reach around $650 million.\n\nDavids hosted conversations on transportation, public health and safety, small business, and the impact of the World Cup on everyday operations throughout sectors.\n\nBrought millions of dollars in grant funding to the Third District for critical needs from lowering gas prices and fighting fentanyl to strengthening supply chains and cleaning up the environment.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-votes-against-partisan-government-funding-package-urges-bipartisan", "Davids Votes Against Partisan Government Funding Package, Urges Bipartisan Solutions", "2024-12-19", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids voted against a partisan government funding package that fails to meet the needs of Kansas families and risks harmful consequences for our country. Davids strongly opposed the package\u2019s provision allowing unlimited spending over the next two years \u2014 an unprecedented move. She continues to urge Congress to work across the aisle to prevent a government shutdown and ensure the protection of essential services for Kansans.\n\n\u201cCongress has a responsibility to keep the government running, not play political games with people\u2019s livelihoods behind closed doors,\u201d said Davids. \u201cI urged House leaders to remove their congressional pay raise, which they did \u2014 but the fact remains: this partisan package falls short of what Kansans need and deserve. While I support the Farm Bill extension included, I cannot support a package that allows for unprecedented, unlimited spending for the next two years. I will keep pushing for real bipartisan solutions that provide stability, lower costs, and protect critical services for families in Kansas and across the country.\u201d\n\nIn addition to its partisan nature and allowance of unlimited spending, Davids was also disappointed by the removal of provisions intended to protect American companies from foreign interference by China. Key measures to reduce prescription drug costs and lower gas prices by enabling year-round E15 sales, which support Kansas' agricultural economy, were also taken out of the package.\n\nThis week\u2019s bipartisan negotiations were derailed by the influence of President-elect Trump and Elon Musk. With bipartisanship being the only path forward to avoid a shutdown, Davids highlighted the serious consequences Kansas could face, especially during the holiday season. If Congress fails to pass a bipartisan funding bill:\n\nKansans receiving Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits would experience service delays, including disruptions to verifying benefits and the issuance of new cards.\n\nThere are almost 20,000 federal workers in Kansas who may be furloughed. A bipartisan report found that the last three government shutdowns led to the equivalent of 56,940 years in lost productivity from federal workers.\n\nThe distribution of important food assistance programs, including SNAP, could be disrupted, leaving some Kansans \u2014 including women, children, and the elderly \u2014 without nutritious food.\n\nSmall businesses may encounter delays in receiving loans from the federal government. Moody\u2019s Analytics estimated that the 2018-2019 shutdown delayed more than $2 billion in loans to small businesses.\n\nTravelers could face longer lines at airport security checkpoints and flight delays during a shutdown, which would also delay passport processing times even further.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-announces-2024-congressional-app-challenge-winner", "Davids Announces 2024 Congressional App Challenge Winner", "2024-12-18", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced the winner of the 2024 Congressional App Challenge for Kansas' Third District: Rafan Shah. Shah is an eighth grader at Aubrey Bend Middle School in Overland Park. His app, NOVA, assists blind or visually impaired individuals in navigating their surroundings through object detection and text-to-speech capabilities.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m incredibly proud of Rafan Shah for using his skills to create an app that makes the world more accessible and inclusive,\u201d said Davids. \u201cNOVA is a great example of how innovation can improve lives, and I\u2019m excited to see it showcased in the U.S. Capitol. I can\u2019t wait to see what Rafan accomplishes next.\u201d\n\n\"NOVA is an application designed to help people who are visually impaired navigate their surroundings with accessible technology,\u201d said Rafan Shah, 2024 Congressional App Challenge Winner. \u201cMost technology that can help the visually impaired is very expensive, so I wanted to make a free and more accessible alternative. After an initial setup, visually impaired people can use my mobile app independently to improve their mobility. I am thankful for the Congressional App challenge and Representative Sharice Davids to select me as the winner and help support me and my mission to make independence more accessible for the visually impaired.\"\n\nShah was inspired to create NOVA after reflecting on the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals and how different their daily experiences must be. His own experience of spraining his ankle and relying on others for assistance gave him a deeper understanding of the importance of independence. NOVA is a solution that empowers visually impaired people to navigate their lives with greater independence, without the burden of costly technology.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:07:19Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/sharice-davids-named-honorary-chair-new-democrat-coalitions-renew-democracy", "Sharice Davids Named Honorary Chair of New Democrat Coalition\u2019s ReNew Democracy Foundation", "2024-12-12", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "This week, the ReNew Democracy Foundation announced Representative Sharice Davids will serve as Honorary Chair of the organization starting next year. The ReNew Democracy Foundation helps new voices from across the country make a difference in Congress by connecting them with pragmatic, center-left U.S. House offices. Through the ReNew Democracy Fellowship, participants gain educational development, mentorship, and networking opportunities to support their leadership journey.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m thrilled to serve as Honorary Chair of the ReNew Democracy Foundation, an incredible initiative to help open doors and foster the development of the future leaders of America,\u201d said incoming Honorary Chair Sharice Davids (KS-03). \u201cThe work we do now to support the young professionals will help ensure the next pop generation of lawmakers, business leaders, and policy experts move our country forward. With the experience gained and lessons learned from serving as Honorary Co-Chair during the first year of the fellowship, I can\u2019t wait to take this organization to new heights alongside Honorary Vice Chairs Marc Veasey, Salud Carbajal, and Marilyn Strickland, as well as our exceptional Board of Directors and staff.\u201d\n\n\u201cSharice is a wonderful leader in the halls of Congress, and an inspiration to young leaders across the country. She has the dedication and passion needed to spearhead such a critical project,\u201d said New Democrat Coalition Chair-Elect Brad Schneider. \u201cReNew Democracy Foundation hit the ground running with its inaugural cohort, supporting five exceptional fellows that have contributed to the success of their congressional offices and taken significant personal and professional strides. I\u2019m positive the Foundation will flourish under the leadership of Honorary Chair Davids and the rest of the team.\u201d\n\n\u201cTo build a strong center-left future, we need to empower the next generation of leaders and that is why the ReNew Democracy Foundation exists,\u201d said John Michael Gonzalez, President, Board of Directors. \u201cRep. Sharice Davids is a dynamic leader of the New Democrat Coalition that represents this next generation. She is an inspiration to our Fellows and I look forward to working with Rep. Davids as our new Honorary Chair and our team of Honorary Vice Chairs.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-request-save-kansas-41-million-water-contracts-passes-us-congress", "Davids\u2019 Request to Save Kansas $41 Million on Water Contracts Passes U.S. Congress", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Last night, the U.S. Congress passed Representative Sharice Davids\u2019 request in the 2024 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that will save the State of Kansas more than $41 million. This measure changes how interest is calculated on two of Kansas\u2019 federal water storage contracts, switching from compound interest to simple interest, and marks a significant win for Kansas taxpayers. In the bill, Wyandotte County also received $35 million for water and waste infrastructure. After yesterday\u2019s House vote, the bill heads back to the Senate, then to the President\u2019s desk.\n\n\u201cThis is a big win for Kansas taxpayers and our future water security,\u201d said Davids. \u201cIt will not only save our state $41 million, money that can be reinvested into our communities, but also helps ensure farmers and ranchers have the resources needed to be successful and grow their businesses. With added investment for Wyandotte County\u2019s water systems, this legislation ensures reliable, affordable water for future generations of Kansans.\u201d\n\n\u201cRepresentative Davids pushed for changes to water supply contracts in El Dorado in WRDA 2022 and has continued her advocacy into WRDA 2024 to bring additional relief to Kansas taxpayers,\u201d said U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen. \u201cThanks to Rep. Davids\u2019 leadership, this Water Resources Development Act for 2024 continues bipartisan efforts to invest in the resiliency of communities, creating good-paying jobs and saving money for Kansas taxpayers.\u201d\n\nDavids\u2019 successful language request will change the interest calculation method for Kansas\u2019 water storage contracts at Milford and Perry Lakes from compound to simple interest. This change, which mirrors the successful adjustment for El Dorado Lake in the 2022 WRDA, will save Kansas over $41 million in total interest payments. Simple interest, calculated annually on the starting balance, prevents the rapid debt growth caused by compounding interest.\n\nThis update will provide significant financial relief for Kansas, benefiting municipalities, industries, and water supply districts relying on these reservoirs. It also ensures a more affordable and reliable water supply for residents and businesses, addressing the challenges of ongoing drought and extreme weather. Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Water Office previously advocated for Davids to help make this change.\n\nWRDA is an important piece of legislation that is traditionally passed every two years to authorize U.S. Army Corps of Engineers activities for flood control, navigation, and ecosystem restoration. It makes key investments in Kansas\u2019 water infrastructure.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-votes-against-package-restricts-access-health-care-military-and-their", "Davids Votes Against Package that Restricts Access to Health Care for Military and Their Families", "2024-12-11", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids voted against an extreme proposal that would restrict access to health care for service members and their families. Since coming to Congress, Davids has consistently supported the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in a bipartisan manner. While today\u2019s bill included provisions Davids has long championed \u2014 such as improved pay, health care, housing, and child care for service members \u2014 she could not support it because it would ultimately harm military families and jeopardize Armed Forces retention.\n\n\u201cI grew up in a military family \u2013 my mom and grandfather each served for more than 20 years \u2013 so I have a deep, personal commitment to ensuring our service members and their families are treated with the respect they deserve. They need pay raises, quality health care, safe housing, and affordable child care,\u201d said Davids. \u201cBut I also agree with Republican House Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers that politics has no place in decisions that impact our troops\u2019 well-being, which is what we saw today. This bill includes provisions that put Kansas service members and their families\u2019 health at risk, which is unacceptable. We owe it to those who serve to rise above political games and deliver the care, resources, and respect they have earned through their sacrifice and service.\u201d\n\nToday's bill faced criticism from both parties, including Davids and Republican House Armed Services Committee Chair Mike Rogers, who denounced Speaker Mike Johnson for inserting anti-health care provisions into the NDAA, stating, \u201cThis stuff does not belong in our bill.\u201d These provisions, which include banning coverage for gender-affirming care for the children of service members, would unnecessarily involve the government in personal health care decisions for military families.\n\nFor six decades, the NDAA has been a largely bipartisan effort, but Speaker Johnson's actions have drawn widespread criticism for politicizing the process. Organizations like Planned Parenthood, the Human Rights Campaign, Minority Veterans of America, and medical groups such as the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics have voiced their opposition.\n\nLast year, the U.S. House passed a partisan version of the NDAA that included a laundry list of extremist measures, including restrictions on reproductive health care. Davids then pledged to advocate for common-sense, bipartisan policies that protect reproductive rights while expanding pay, child care, and housing support for military families. She and her colleagues worked across the aisle to ensure these critical priorities were represented in today\u2019s bill.\n\nAlong with successfully fighting against restrictions on reproductive health care, today\u2019s bill included Davids\u2019 original bipartisan legislation to award a Congressional Gold Medal to more than 220 \u201cHello Girls,\u201d the first female soldiers to be officially deployed to a combat zone in American history. Other Davids-supported wins include:\n\nService Member Pay: Raising pay for junior enlisted service members by 14.5 percent and by 4.5 percent for all other service members.\n\nHealth Care: Eliminating certain copays for contraceptives, expanding tele-health and mental health care access, enhancing treatment for blast-related injuries, and streamlining medical processing for recruits to reduce backlogs.\n\nChild Care: Helping to eliminate child care waitlists for eligible families and ensuring competitive pay for Department of Defense child care staff.\n\nHousing: Replacing poor unaccompanied housing and barracks, fast-tracking work order submissions and reducing backlogs, and ensuring internet access for those living in barracks.\n\nTo support Kansas service members and veterans, Davids introduced bipartisan legislation \u2013 which passed the U.S. House \u2013 to help eliminate barriers faced when starting a business. She also helped pass the Honoring our PACT Act, which expands Department of Veterans Affairs' health care eligibility to 3.5 million American veterans exposed to burn pits and toxic airborne hazards while deployed.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-introduces-bipartisan-bill-expand-savings-options-workers-disabilities", "Davids Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expand Savings Options for Workers with Disabilities", "2024-12-05", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids, alongside Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), introduced the ABLE Employment Flexibility Act, a bill designed to help workers with disabilities build financial security without risking essential federal benefits. ABLE accounts \u2014 special savings accounts for people with disabilities \u2014 allow individuals to save money without affecting their eligibility for federal assistance programs. This bill would allow employers to make tax-free contributions to these accounts, offering greater flexibility in hiring and retaining employees with disabilities while helping these workers achieve greater financial independence.\n\n\u201cWorkers with disabilities should have the same access to employer benefits as anyone else, including the ability to save for their future,\u201d said Davids. \u201cAfter speaking with Kansans like Rachel Mast, a person with Down syndrome, I introduced this bill to ensure that workers with disabilities can build financial security without sacrificing the federal benefits that help them succeed. It\u2019s a commonsense fix that promotes equity, independence, and economic opportunity for millions of Americans.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt makes my heart happy that Rep. Davids is introducing this bill,\u201d said Rachel Mast, Kansan with Down syndrome and disability advocate. \u201cThis will help me save more money in my ABLE account for my future, and I won\u2019t lose any of my supports.\u201d\n\nCurrently, many employers offer 401(k) matching contributions as a benefit of employment. However, workers with disabilities are often excluded from taking advantage of this option due to strict federal asset limits tied to programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Contributions to retirement accounts can unintentionally disqualify individuals from these benefits, leaving workers with disabilities at a financial disadvantage compared to their peers.\n\nThe ABLE Employment Flexibility Act addresses this disparity by allowing employers to make tax-exempt contributions to employees\u2019 ABLE accounts instead of traditional 401(k) accounts. This change ensures workers with disabilities can save for their future without jeopardizing the federal support they rely on to thrive in their communities.\n\n\"Individuals with disabilities deserve the freedom to access employee benefits and save for retirement without risking their eligibility for critical federal programs,\u201d said Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). \u201cBy eliminating unnecessary barriers, our bipartisan legislation takes a bold step in protecting essential supports like the ABLE program while empowering employees with disabilities to achieve financial security and thrive in the workplace. This is about breaking down barriers and ensuring equal opportunity for all.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve been honored to lead the national advocacy movement behind the ABLE Act for almost two decades; it\u2019s incredible to see the bipartisan commitment continue through the introduction of the ABLE Employment Flexibility Act in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congresswoman Davids,\u201d said Sara Hart Weir, Executive Director, Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities. \u201cAt the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities, we are proud to not only employ individuals with disabilities in our organization but also support our colleagues in utilizing their ABLE accounts as a workplace inclusion tool - we encourage employers across Kansas and the country to follow our lead.\"\n\n\"NDSC is thrilled about the introduction of this bill. People with Down syndrome and other disabilities who work should be entitled to the same employee retirement benefits as their colleagues without jeopardizing their public supports,\u201d said Jim Hudson, Executive Director, National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC). \u201cThis bill will enable the payment of retirement benefits directly into their ABLE account.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-announces-5-million-grant-clean-abandoned-mines-creating-jobs-and", "Davids Announces $5 Million Grant to Clean Up Abandoned Mines, Creating Jobs and Improving Safety", "2024-12-03", "2024", "2024-12", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids celebrated a $4.9 million grant for Kansas to clean up polluted abandoned mine lands, eliminating dangerous conditions caused by historic coal mining and creating good-paying jobs. This award, administered by the Department of the Interior\u2019s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, was made possible by the Davids-backed bipartisan infrastructure law. Kansas also received nearly $300,000 to update its abandoned mine land inventory to support future remediation efforts.\n\n\u201cKansas families shouldn\u2019t have to worry about the dangers of pollution right outside their front doors,\u201d said Davids. \u201cThis grant will help clean up abandoned mine sites, improving living conditions for folks across our state while creating good-paying jobs for workers. I\u2019m proud to have supported the bipartisan infrastructure law that made this possible and look forward to seeing more investments in Kansas.\u201d\n\nMillions of Americans live less than a mile from an abandoned coal mine. This project will support jobs in communities by investing in projects that close dangerous mine shafts, reclaim unstable slopes, improve water quality, and restore water supplies damaged by mining. The award will also enable economic revitalization in Kansas by reclaiming hazardous land for recreational facilities and other redevelopment, such as advanced manufacturing and renewable energy deployment.\n\n\u201cThe funds from the bipartisan infrastructure law are essential for Kansas to address projects that could never be done with only the fee-based grant such as the Weir Subsidence Drilling and Grouting Project that is currently in engineering,\u201d said Marlene Spence, Administrator, Surface Mining Unit, Kansas Department of Health and Environment. \u201cThis project will tackle the potential for subsidence in a Justice 40 area that has been negatively impacted by the effects of past underground coal mining.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T22:13:55Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-urges-federal-investigation-unfair-practices-raising-grocery-prices", "Davids Urges Federal Investigation into Unfair Practices Raising Grocery Prices", "2024-10-30", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate why a law meant to prevent unfair practices is not being enforced, resulting in higher grocery costs for Americans. The Robinson-Patman Act (RPA), commonly referred to as the Anti-Price Discrimination Act, is designed to ensure fair competition in the food industry by protecting against unfair practices from large corporations that drive up costs for small producers and consumers. However, it currently lacks the oversight needed to fulfill its purpose.\n\n\u201cSince 2020, both consumers and local grocers have expressed great concerns to me with regard to rising costs of goods and services,\u201d wrote Davids. \u201cMy constituents deserve strong competition so they can have more choices to shop for the best bargains, which also helps prevent large corporations from taking advantage of them and smaller businesses.\u201d\n\n\u201cThough [the RPA] proved a positive force on the economy shortly after its passage, in the last 40 years, there has been little enforcement or oversight of this law, and high levels of concentration in the food and retail industry are rampant,\u201d Davids continued. \u201cLocal grocers and storefronts are the backbone of America\u2019s small business community, and we hope to see the FTC take steps to protect our entrepreneurs and families who are bearing the brunt of higher grocery prices.\u201d\n\nAlong with her letter, Davids has made lowering the cost of groceries for families and small businesses a priority in Congress, including:\n\nVoting to pass the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Actto shore up the food and agriculture supply chain, assure fair competition in the meat and poultry sectors, and lower food and gasoline costs for consumers.\n\nSupporting the Price Gouging Prevention Act, legislation ensuring large corporations can\u2019t take advantage of consumers at the grocery store.\n\nHolding multipleroundtables with Kansas business, manufacturing, and technology leaders on how recent legislation to improve supply chains will help boost their business\u2019 financial security.\n\nWorking a \u201cSharice\u2019s Shift\u201d at a local Price Chopper, where she helped store employees unload deliveries from shipping trucks, stock grocery shelves, and bag groceries.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-cole-remark-president-bidens-apology-nations-past-policies-around", "Davids, Cole Remark on President Biden\u2019s Apology for Nation\u2019s Past Policies Around Indian Boarding Schools", "2024-10-28", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) and Tom Cole (R-OK-04), Co-chairs of the Congressional Native American Caucus, gave the following response to President Biden\u2019s remarks on the country\u2019s previous policies around Indian boarding schools.\n\n\"My grandparents are survivors of Indian Boarding Schools, but too many were torn apart, losing generations of culture, stories, and tradition,\u201d saidDavids. \u201cI'm thankful to President Biden and Secretary Haaland for their work investigating the full extent of these crimes against Indigenous communities and ensuring our federal government upholds its promises and obligations to Indian Country.\"\n\n\u201cIndian boarding schools have had devastating impacts on Native communities. Yet, for so many years, the true stories about what happened to these Native children have not been spoken about,\u201d said Congressman Cole. \u201cAs an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma and one of the few Native American members of Congress, I am very glad to see accountability being taken for the role that federal policies played in the Native American boarding school system.\u201d\n\nEarlier this year, Davids and Cole reintroduced the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2024\u2014legislation to investigate, document, and report on the histories of Indian boarding schools, Indian boarding school policies, and long-term impacts on Native communities. Davids, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin and one of the first two Native women elected to Congress, and Cole, a member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma and long-serving Native American in the U.S. House of Representatives, remain committed to investigating the abuses at these institutions.\n\nThe bipartisan Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2024 would:\n\nEstablish a formal commission to investigate, document, and acknowledge past injustices of the federal government\u2019s Indian Boarding School Policies.\n\nThis includes attempts to terminate Native cultures, religions, and languages; assimilation practices; and human rights violations.\n\nDevelop recommendations for federal entities to aid in healing the historical and intergenerational trauma passed down in Native families and communities.\n\nProvide a forum for victims to speak about personal experiences tied to these human rights violations.\n\nThis bill has been endorsed by the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS), National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), National Indian Education Association (NIEA), American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), and the National Indian Health Board (NIHB).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-davids-cleaver-announce-6469000-federal-funding-awarded-cultivate-kc", "Reps. Davids, Cleaver Announce $6,469,000 in Federal Funding Awarded to Cultivate KC to Advance Conservation and Climate-Smart Agriculture in Kansas City", "2024-10-25", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, U.S. Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS) and Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded $6,469,000 in federal funding to Cultivate KC to advance conservation and climate-smart agriculture in Kansas City. The federal investment was made possible by the USDA\u2019s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds local projects that provide solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. The RCPP is funded, in part, by the Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s Inflation Reduction Act, a bill that Reps. Cleaver and Davids strongly supported.\n\n\"Investments in our region's agriculture are crucial in combating climate change, lowering costs for producers and consumers, and ensuring all Kansans have access to good, quality food,\u201d said Rep Davids. \u201cI'm thrilled to see this award made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act come home to support Cultivate KC's innovative work advancing urban agriculture in our community and am proud to have voted to make this additional funding possible.\"\n\n\u201cAdvances in urban agriculture are essential in our work to strengthen conservation efforts, expand sustainable farming, and combat the ongoing climate crisis,\u201d said Congressman Cleaver. \u201cWith this federal investment, made possible by the Biden-Harris Administration\u2019s Inflation Reduction Act, Kansas City and Cultivate KC continue to make clear that we are leading the nation when it comes to innovative solutions that are critical to maintaining our precious natural resources while supporting local producers. I\u2019m proud to have helped make this funding possible, and I look forward to the benefits our entire region will receive thanks to this public-private partnership.\u201d\n\nCultivate KC aims to leverage the federal funding to permanently protect five parcels of significant urban and peri-urban farmland that face intense development pressure. Additionally, the federal grant will help to address the unique natural resource concerns\u2014including lack of weather resilience, soil quality limitations, degraded plant conditions, pest pressures, and more\u2014experienced by urban and innovative producers in the Kansas City metropolitan area using strategic easement acquisitions and newfound conservation practices.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-announces-grant-i-35-improvements-highlights-bipartisan-infrastructure", "Davids Announces Grant for I-35 Improvements, Highlights Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Impact", "2024-10-24", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced a $97 million investment for improvements to I-35 Highway in Olathe. The grant funds come from the bipartisan infrastructure law, a Davids-backed piece of legislation making critical investments in America\u2019s aging infrastructure.\n\n\u201cSince coming to Congress, I\u2019ve made it a priority to advocate for our community\u2019s local infrastructure needs. That\u2019s why I voted for the bipartisan infrastructure law,\u201d said Davids. \u201cThis law creates good paying jobs, strengthens our supply chains and helps lower costs, and will make our roads more efficient and dependable. I\u2019m thrilled to see these funds coming to Kansas with the I-35 Santa Fe Forward project and investing in improvements that our region will see for generations.\u201d\n\nThe project will improve I-35 from Old 56 Highway to 119th Street and on major arterials of Santa Fe Street and Old Highway 56 in Olathe. Improvements include access management upgrades to streamline traffic flow, auxiliary lane improvements, and more to improve reliability for travelers throughout the region.\n\nBy reaching communities across Kansas \u2013 including rural communities and other historically overlooked populations \u2013 the bipartisan infrastructure law makes critical investments that will improve lives for Kansans and position the state for success.\n\nDavids previously released reports highlighting the condition and safety of roads and bridges in Kansas' Third District. The findings showed that, without increased funding, most streets in Kansas City, Kansas, will be in poor or failed condition by 2031. Additionally, 6 of the top 10 most-traveled, structurally deficient bridges in the state are located in the Third District. These facts underscore the urgent need for the bipartisan infrastructure law.\n\nDavids is the only member of the Kansas delegation to vote for the law, which is the largest investment in America\u2019s physical infrastructure in generations and was named the most fiscally responsible infrastructure bill in at least a decade by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. More information on how the bipartisan infrastructure law is improving Kansas\u2019 roads, bridges, water, and safety can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-joins-manufacturers-highlights-5-million-federal-grant-strengthening", "Davids Joins Manufacturers, Highlights $5 Million Federal Grant Strengthening Local Supply Chains", "2024-10-23", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "(Edwardsville, KS) - Today, Representative Sharice Davids toured Varsity Yearbook in Edwardsville to highlight the $5 million in funding for Kansas Manufacturing Solutions (KMS) to continue providing services and support to local manufactures. Based in Lenexa, KMS is the only federally supported Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Program Center in the state of Kansas.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m excited to see this funding in action and am thankful that our local manufacturers have such a strong partner in Kansas Manufacturing Solutions,\u201d said Davids. \u201cThis grant will allow KMS to continue their important work by helping Kansas business owners succeed in building more here at home and tackling issues like inflation, strengthening our supply chains, and more.\u201d\n\nThe grant funds come from the Department of Commerce\u2019s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Funding will aim to address work shortages in the manufacturing industry with new approaches to employee retention, and by aligning the local manufacturing workforce with the demands of modern manufacturing environments.\n\nDavids has been working to address global supply chain issues and lower costs for businesses and consumers since coming to Congress. She was a staunch supporter of the CHIPS and Science Act, which helps:\n\nLower costs for American consumers by making more critical semiconductor components in America, helping to end the shortage of chips that have driven up the price of everything from cars to consumer goods;\n\nCreate 100,000 new, good-paying jobs nationwide by supporting local workforce development;\n\nTurbocharge American research and development by ensuring that the technologies of the future are made here at home.\n\nDavids\u2019 additional work to strengthen domestic manufacturing and boost supply chains include:\n\nHolding multipleroundtables with Kansas business, manufacturing, and technology leaders on how recent legislation to improve supply chains will help boost their business' financial security.\n\nCosponsoring the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, a law aimed at addressing supply chain snags and reducing dependence on goods produced outside of the United States.\n\nMeeting with President Biden at the White House to urge him to pass a supply chain and economic package that invests in American manufacturing.\n\nVoting to pass the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act to shore up the food and agriculture supply chain, ensure fair competition in the meat and poultry sectors, and lower food and gasoline costs.\n\nIntroducing the SUPPLIES Act, which would create a $100 million grant program for small and medium manufacturers that shift their production to make PPE and testing supplies during future public health emergencies. It would also prioritize manufacturing these supplies domestically, reducing our country's dependence on foreign countries for medical supplies and eliminating price gouging of life-saving materials.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-davids-cleaver-laturner-call-national-parks-service-incorporate-history", "ICYMI: Davids, Cleaver, LaTurner Call on National Parks Service to Incorporate History of Webb v. School District 90 into Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Park", "2024-10-21", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "To commemorate a letter sent to the National Parks Service and the Brown v. Board of Education Historic Park on October 8, Representatives Sharice Davids and Emanuel Cleaver II spoke with members of the Webb family at the former Walker School on their family\u2019s role in Civil Rights history.\n\nWATCH: Lawmakers push for Merriam history to be included in Brown v. Board National Historical Park\n\nIn the Oct. 8 letter, the representatives called attention to the 1949 decision in the Webb v. School District No. 90 (Webb) case, which took place in what is currently known as Merriam, Kansas.\n\n[\u2026]\n\n\u201cThe Webb Case that went to the Kansas Supreme Court really was a foundational piece of making sure that when the Supreme Court took up Brown v. Board, that there was precedent and a legal framework,\u201d Davids said.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nBut with so much of the physical landscape changed, the Webb family is relying on storytelling to preserve their history.\n\n[\u2026]\n\n\u201cThey need to know it because they take it for granted,\u201d Mary Webb said. \u201cThey think, \u2018Oh, we can always just go to school. We can always just go to stores.\u2019\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-urges-white-house-establish-task-force-ahead-hosting-global-sporting", "Davids Urges White House to Establish Task Force Ahead of Hosting Global Sporting Events", "2024-10-18", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "This month, Representatives Sharice Davids, Darin LaHood (IL-16), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Dina Titus (NV-01), and Eric Swalwell (CA-14) urged the White House urging President Biden to establish a White House Task Force on Global Sporting Events. As Co-Chair and founder of the bipartisan Congressional FIFA World Cup 2026 Caucus, Davids has led efforts to ensure Kansas City and other host cities are ready to maximize the economic opportunities that come with this global event.\n\n\"The United States will host a number of major international sporting events over the next decade, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2028 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the 2031 Rugby World Cup. These events have the potential to deliver tremendous economic and diplomatic benefits for our nation,\" wrote Davids and her colleagues. \"That is why we urge the White House to establish a White House Task Force on Global Sporting Events to oversee preparation and securing the games, specifically through international visa processing, security scenario training, incident response, transportation, diplomatic security, intelligence gathering and dissemination, and securing critical protective assets.\"\n\nAccording to a report, the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games saw 12 million tickets sold and 8 million visitors from outside of France over the two competitions. An independent study found that upwards of $12 billion was injected into the French economy.\n\nThe Congressional FIFA World Cup 2026 Caucus provides educational opportunities and advances initiatives supporting the U.S.'s role in hosting the 2026 World Cup. It\u2019s a convening place to discuss issues, opportunities, concerns, stakeholder views, logistics, and legislative priorities to support host cities. Topics of discussion within the Caucus include transportation and infrastructure needs, small business and economic development, public safety and homeland security, and safety and security.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-joins-constituent-grocery-shopping-discusses-her-work-lower-grocery", "Davids Joins Constituent Grocery Shopping, Discusses Her Work to Lower Grocery Costs", "2024-10-17", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids accompanied a local Mission resident to shop for groceries to hear their concerns and discuss her bipartisan work to lower grocery prices. Earlier this year, Davids helped introduce legislation to protect America\u2019s food and agriculture supply chains and prevent disruptions that inflate grocery costs for consumers.\n\n\u201cEven though we\u2019ve seen progress in strengthening our agricultural supply chains, there\u2019s more work to do to lower grocery costs for hardworking families,\u201d said Davids. \u201cToday, I got to speak with a member of our community about how bipartisan legislation I introduced would help lower those prices and build an economy that works for everyone.\u201d\n\nThe bipartisan Securing American Agriculture Act would:\n\nRequire the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct an annual assessment to evaluate:\n\nAmerican critical agricultural input supply chains that could be exploited by the People\u2019s Republic of China (PRC);\n\nCurrent domestic production capacity for specified critical inputs;\n\nCurrent and potential bottlenecks in the food and agriculture supply chain.\n\nRequire the Secretary of Agriculture to provide recommendations to mitigate potential threats from the People\u2019s Republic of China and for legislative and regulatory actions to reduce barriers to domestic critical input production.\n\nWhile our economy is experiencing record job creation, the cost of groceries remains too high. To help lower those costs, Davids, who was named a \"Champion of the Shippers,\" has worked to shore up our domestic supply chains, which eases\n\ninflationary pressures for Kansans. Davids\u2019 additional work to lower grocery costs and strengthen supply chains include:\n\nVoting to pass the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act to shore up the food and agriculture supply chain, assure fair competition in the meat and poultry sectors, and lower food and gasoline costs.\n\nSupporting the Price Gouging Prevention Act so big corporations can\u2019t take advantage of consumers at the grocery store.\n\nHolding multipleroundtables with Kansas business, manufacturing, and technology leaders on how recent legislation to improve supply chains will help boost their businesses' financial security.\n\nCosponsoring the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, a new law aimed at addressing supply chain snags and reducing dependence on goods produced outside of the United States.\n\nMeeting with President Biden at the White House to urge him to pass a supply chain and economic package that invests in American manufacturing.\n\nWorking a \"Sharice's Shift\" at a local Price Chopper, where she helped store employees unload deliveries from shipping trucks, stock grocery shelves, and bag groceries.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-helps-recover-20-million-residents-kansas-third-district", "Davids Helps Recover $20 Million for Residents in Kansas' Third District", "2024-10-10", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced her office has helped to recover more than $20 million owed to local taxpayers in the Kansas Third District. The milestone highlights the success of Davids\u2019 robust constituent services efforts, a priority she has consistently maintained in her three terms in the House.\n\nIn total, Davids\u2019 office has assisted more than 7,300 Kansans with stalled Social Security and veterans benefits, overdue tax returns, and more since taking office in 2019. Of the $20 million recovered, more than $3,200,000 has been recovered so far in 2024.\n\n\u201cEveryone deserves a government that works for them. That\u2019s the way it should be,\u201d said Davids. \u201cAnything my office can do to help folks in the Third District navigate the bureaucracy of the federal government will always be a priority of mine.\u201d\n\n\u201cI contacted the office of Sharice Davids when the IRS was unresponsive and failed to timely process my federal tax refund,\u201d said Jason from Olathe. \u201cDavids' staff understood my issue and represented my concerns and frustrations to the IRS. [The office] successfully moved my case along and resolved the issue. I am thankful for Representative Davids and her Office for their assistance.\u201d\n\nI contacted [Representative Davids\u2019] office to help with two important issues with SSA that I was unable to get resolved for over six months,\u201d said Christopher from Gardner. \u201cWithin a week, both issues were resolved due to [her] office getting involved.\u201d\n\nRep. Davids has made making a difference for Kansans the centerpiece of her service in the U.S. House of Representatives.\n\nFor example, in August she toured several of the community projects that she secured federal support for during Fiscal Year 2024.Working together with local officials, Davids\u2019 Community Project Funding requests included securing resources for training vehicles at the Johnson County Regional Police Academy at Johnson County Community College, funding the construction of a new $22 million water treatment plant in Garnett, and more.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-cleaver-laturner-call-national-park-service-incorporate-history-webb-v", "Davids, Cleaver, LaTurner Call on National Park Service to Incorporate History of Webb v. School District 90 into Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Park", "2024-10-08", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, U.S. Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS), Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), and Jake LaTurner (R-KS) came together to call on the National Park Service and the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park (NHP) to incorporate the history of Webb v. School District 90 (Webb) into the NHP\u2019s permanent exhibits at the Monroe Elementary School site and any future NHP sites. In a letter to the Director of the National Park Service and the Superintendent of the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park, the lawmakers also requested the acquisition of any significant artifacts or collections from Webb.\n\n\u201cThe Brown v. Board of Education NHP is a critical part of the National Park Service\u2019s efforts to tell our nation\u2019s history,\u201d wrote the lawmakers. \u201cThousands of visitors that come to the NHP each year would greatly benefit from better understanding more of the history and activism that led to the Brown decision.\u201d\n\nConcerning segregation at South Park Elementary School in present day Merriam, Kansas, Webb was a groundbreaking decision delivered by the Supreme Court of Kansas in 1949, ruling that Black students were entitled to attend South Park Elementary School instead of being segregated to the two-room, dilapidated Walker School. The case, among others, played a critical role in laying the legal groundwork and paving the way to the Brown decision ending school segregation in the United States just five years later.\n\n\u201cTherefore, we respectfully ask you to incorporate the stories of Webb and other relevant cases that predate Brown into the NHP\u2019s permanent exhibits at the Monroe Elementary School site and any future NHP sites,\u201d the lawmakers continued. \u201cWe also request that you work to acquire any significant artifacts or collections from Webb and other relevant cases to permanently display in Topeka as appropriate.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-statement-one-year-anniversary-october-7th-attack-israel", "Davids Statement on One-Year Anniversary of October 7th Attack on Israel", "2024-10-07", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids issued the following statement on the one-year anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel:\n\n\u201cI remain heartbroken over the horrific murders and brutal attacks carried out by Hamas across Israel one year ago. The hostages must be released immediately. Too many innocent lives have been lost, and we must do more to support the civilians throughout the region who have been hurt or displaced by this conflict. I strongly urge U.S. leadership to continue working with leaders in the Middle East on a lasting resolution and a focus on a two-state solution.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-visits-local-farm-announces-new-bill-strengthen-ag-supply-chains-lower", "Davids Visits Local Farm, Announces New Bill to Strengthen Ag Supply Chains, Lower Grocery Costs", "2024-10-02", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids visited the KC Farm School to announce her new bill aimed at strengthening local and regional food systems. Davids\u2019 Resilient Food Supply Chain and Affordability Act would make permanent the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) Program, which is enhancing resilience within the food supply chain, supporting local farmers, creating jobs, and reducing grocery costs for consumers. She was joined by Kansas agriculture professionals who\u2019ve benefited from the program.\n\n\u201cBy strengthening our local and regional food systems, we are not only supporting our farmers and ranchers but also ensuring that families across Kansas have access to affordable, fresh food,\u201d said Davids. \u201cThis new bill represents a vital step toward building a more resilient food supply chain that benefits everyone in our community.\u201d\n\nThe RFSI program, created by the Davids-supported American Rescue Plan, aims to strengthen local and regional food systems by improving the middle of the food supply chain. It provides grants to state departments of agriculture to help small farms and food businesses grow, create new jobs, and increase access to healthy food products\u200b. Strengthening agricultural supply chains helps lower grocery prices by improving efficiency, reducing operational expenses, enhancing local sourcing, and increasing resilience against disruptions.\n\n\"These grants will support improvements across the middle of our state's food supply chain, including increased food processing infrastructure, producer aggregation points, and product storage,\u201d said Mike Beam, Kansas Secretary of Agriculture. \u201cInvesting in these Kansas food and farm businesses and other eligible organizations will create diverse local and regional market options and more economic opportunities for our Kansas communities.\u201d\n\n\"Family farmers, ranchers, consumers, and our communities all benefit from a strong and resilient farm and food system,\u201d said Donn Teske, President, Kansas Farmers Union. \u201cKansas Farmers Union supports providing incentives for a more decentralized food system, including processing and packing industries on the local and regional levels. We are proud to support the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program legislation brought forward in a bipartisan fashion by Representative Sharice Davids and look forward to working with Rep. Davids and her colleagues to champion this legislation in the near future.\"\n\n\u201cCultivate KC believes that a thriving local food system is critical to the health and resilience of our communities,\u201d said Brien Darby, Executive Director. \u201cInvestments in urban and small-scale producers and local supply chains are critical to build a strong local food system. We\u2019ve been encouraged by the progress that recent federal investments are starting to make towards this goal and are excited that Rep. Davids and her colleagues are working to keep the momentum going with programs such as the Resilient Food System Infrastructure program and Local Food Purchase Assistance program in the next farm bill.\u201d\n\nThe KC Farm School, which hosted Davids today, received $58,000 in RFSI investments to purchase a new van to improve transportation access for 70 growers across the Kansas City region. Cultivate KC, which also joined today\u2019s discussion, received $25,000 in RFSI investments to purchase and install cold storage on the farms of three graduates from the New Roots program, a farm business program that helps refugee families start and operate farms.\n\nTo help lower costs, Davids, who was named a \"Champion of the Shippers,\" has worked to shore up our domestic supply chains, which eases inflationary pressures for Kansans. Davids\u2019 additional work to lower grocery costs and strengthen supply chains includes:\n\nIntroducing bipartisan legislation to protect America's food and agriculture supply chain and address China's growing influence in critical agricultural sectors.\n\nVoting to pass the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act to shore up the food and agriculture supply chain, assure fair competition in the meat and poultry sectors, and lower food and gasoline costs.\n\nHolding multipleroundtables with Kansas business, manufacturing, and technology leaders on how recent legislation to improve supply chains will help boost their businesses' financial security.\n\nCosponsoring the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, a new law aimed at addressing supply chain snags and reducing dependence on goods produced outside of the United States.\n\nWorking a \"Sharice's Shift\" at a local Price Chopper, where she helped store employees unload deliveries from shipping trucks, stock grocery shelves, and bag groceries.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-statement-irans-attack-israel", "Davids Statement on Iran's Attack on Israel", "2024-10-01", "2024", "2024-10", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "I strongly condemn Iran's attacks on Israel. The United States stands firm against all acts of Iranian terrorism and supports Israel's right to defend itself. We must keep working towards lasting peace in the region to avoid further conflict.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:57:20Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/farm-bill-expires-davids-calls-congress-pass-bipartisan-reauthorization", "As Farm Bill Expires, Davids Calls on Congress to Pass a Bipartisan Reauthorization", "2024-09-30", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, as the current Farm Bill officially expires, Representative Sharice Davids urged her colleagues in Congress to come together and pass a new bipartisan Farm Bill that supports Kansas farmers and rural communities. Davids emphasized that inaction is not an option when it comes to securing the future of Kansas agriculture.\n\n\u201cKansas farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our nation, but without reauthorizing the Farm Bill, we're leaving them and Kansas families in limbo,\u201d said Davids. \u201cThere\u2019s too much at stake to play political games \u2014 we need a serious, bipartisan bill that strengthens crop insurance, supports agricultural research, and ensures our farmers and families can thrive. I remain committed to following the Kansas tradition of bipartisan agricultural policy and getting this across the finish line.\u201d\n\nEarlier this year, Davids praised several initiatives in the proposed Farm Bill that would strengthen Kansas' agricultural economy, but voted against the partisan version as it had no realistic pathway to becoming law. Davids continues to emphasize the importance of returning to the bipartisan negotiations that have historically shaped the Farm Bill.\n\nTo prepare for the Farm Bill reauthorization process, Davids embarked on a Farm Bill listening tour visiting a poultry and livestock operation in Anderson County, a co-op in Franklin County, a goat farm in Miami County, an organic vegetable farm in Johnson County, and an educational community farm in Wyandotte County. Davids also toured a Garnett-based renewable ethanol producer, participated in FFA activities at Spring Hill High School, served a school lunch at Black Bob Elementary in Olathe, spoke with industry leaders on financial support programs for farmers, and toured a dairy farm in Garnett.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-davids-and-bipartisan-lawmakers-press-usps-resolve-mail-delivery-delays", "ICYMI: Davids and Bipartisan Lawmakers Press USPS to Resolve Mail Delivery Delays", "2024-09-26", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Last week, Representatives Sharice Davids, Jake LaTurner (R-KS-02), Mark Alford (R-MO-04), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO-05), and Sam Graves (R-MO-06) united in a bipartisan effort to address mail delivery delays in the Kansas City area. The group called on U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to act on a recent audit\u2019s recommendations, which identified staffing shortages and inadequate management oversight as key factors contributing to the delays in the Kansas City area.\n\nConducted by the independent USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG), the recent audit examined operations at the Kansas City Postal and Distribution Center following reports of some of the nation\u2019s slowest mail service in the nation. The audit identified several deficiencies, including delays in mail delivery, issues with package scanning, and poor property conditions.\n\nThis bipartisan effort to address mail delivery delays made headlines across Kansas:\n\nKMBC: Missouri, Kansas representatives demand action from U.S. Postal Service on slow mail delivery\n\nImprovements to Kansas City's mail delivery are not happening fast enough. That's the message from five bipartisan members of Congress on both sides of the state line.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nAn audit from the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General came out this summer about delays at the Kansas City, Missouri, Processing and Distribution Center after KMBC\u2019s reporting and demands from members of Congress.\n\nThe audit found nearly 100,000 pieces of mail delayed from the facility, with staff shortages and chronic absenteeism causing your mail to not show up on time.\n\n\u201cAbsolutely, I'm concerned,\u201d Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas, told KMBC 9 Investigates on Tuesday.\n\nDavids joined four other members of the U.S. House of Representatives on both sides of the state line to sign a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, calling it unacceptable that the U.S. Postal Service is failing to keep up with mail delivery.\n\n[\u2026]\n\n\u201cI\u2019m at my wit's end,\u201d Davids said. \u201cWe should have seen results. Yesterday is when we should have seen them. And it's why we're pushing.\u201d\n\nFox4: KC-area elected officials address \u2018unacceptable\u2019 USPS delivery delays\n\nAfter months of complaints regarding mail services throughout the metro, locally elected officials announced they have joined forces across party lines to combat delivery delays and find solutions to the U.S. Postal Service\u2019s growing problems.\n\nAccording to a news release, \u201cU.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO-05), Jake LaTurner (R-KS-02), Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), Mark Alford (R-MO-04) and Sam Graves (R-MO-06) united in a bipartisan effort to address mail delivery delays in the Kansas City area.\u201d\n\nThe group of elected officials has called on USPS Postmaster General Louis Dejoy to follow through with solutions to problems identified in an audit.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nMany residents across the area are not getting their mail on time, and sometimes, they\u2019re not getting it at all.\n\nThe audit also found safety concerns regarding trucks and trailers parked at the docks without wheel chocks, preventing them from rolling away.\n\n[\u2026]\n\n\u201cThe findings in these audits and the recommendations are very serious things,\u201d said Sharice Davids (D-KS-03). \u201cMaking sure that our scanning equipment is working, making sure that we\u2019re properly staffed and making sure that the management practices are in place.\u201d\n\n[\u2026]\n\nAccording to a news release, Kansas City has \u201csome for the nation\u2019s slowest mail service in the nation.\u201d This has led these local officials to call upon USPS to implement the Office of the Inspector General\u2019s solutions.\n\nKCTV: \u2018It is unacceptable.\u2019 State leaders call for faster mail delivery ahead of Election Day\n\nIn a letter sent to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a group of state leaders including U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver II, Jake LaTurner, Sharice Davids, Mark Alford, and Sam Graves cite an audit from July that took a look at three post office locations in particular.\n\nThose locations are Hickman Mills in Kansas City, Misssouri, Robert L Roberts in Kansas City, Kansas, and the Shawnee Mission Post Office in Mission, Kansas. The audit found there were delays in mail and issues with package scanning at all three locations and said some customers have had to make changes.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nIn the letter state leadership says, \u201cIt is unacceptable that these facilities have fallen and are failing to keep up with the USPS standard of service. We wholeheartedly urge the leadership of the Postal Service to roll out the recommendations of the USPS Office of the Inspector General immediately to improve the service of the USPS in the Kansas City Metro area for our constituents.\u201d\n\nKansas Reflector: Five Missouri, Kansas members of Congress send tough critique of troubled mail service to D.C.\n\nThree Missouri and two Kansas members of Congress serving constituents in the greater Kansas City area forwarded a joint letter Tuesday to the U.S. Postal Service demanding action to rectify problems with missing or delayed mail and protracted periods in which no mail was delivered at all.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nDeficiencies at the distribution center touched on mail clearance times, delayed mail, late cancellations and dock scanning during an inspection period in May, USPS auditors said. The report said challenges at the three stations included document scanning, delayed mail and property conditions.\n\n[\u2026]\n\n\u201cThe audit makes clear that the USPS must do more to ensure Kansans receive reliable, timely mail delivery,\u201d said Davids, who is seeking reelection in the 3rd District of Johnson and Wyandotte counties. \u201cI will keep working across the aisle with my colleagues in the KC area to help fix these issues and ensure our postal service meets the needs of our communities.\u201d\n\nIn recent months, the letter said, all five congressional offices received a growing number of complaints regarding inadequate mail service.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nThe federal lawmakers said USPS ought to implement strategies to mitigate mail delays, ensure compliance with processing procedures, improve delivery logistics, and upgrade safety and security policies for staff at the mail facilities.\n\nThe representatives said residents of communities across Kansas and Missouri relied on consistent mail service and deserved better support from USPS management.\n\nKMBZ-FM:\n\nCongress members from both parties in Missouri and Kansas say the U.S. Postal Service is not correcting delivery issues fast enough. An audit from the Postal service office of Inspector General found nearly 100,000 pieces of mail delayed from the Kansas City processing Center.\n\nKansas representative Sharice Davids tells KMBC Nine News, somebody needs to be held accountable. \u201cIn some ways, I\u2019m at my wits end. We should have seen results. Yesterday is when we should have seen them. And it's why we're pushing. We need people to know that postmaster General DeJoy is, frankly, dropping the ball on this.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-kc-area-colleagues-unite-across-party-lines-address-usps-mail-delivery", "Davids, KC-Area Colleagues Unite Across Party Lines to Address USPS Mail Delivery Delays", "2024-09-17", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), Jake LaTurner (R-KS-02), Mark Alford (R-MO-04), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO-05), and Sam Graves (R-MO-06) united in a bipartisan effort to address mail delivery delays in the Kansas City area. The group called on U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to act on a recent audit\u2019s recommendations, which identified staffing shortages and inadequate management oversight as key factors contributing to the delays in the Kansas City area.\n\n\u201cIn recent months, our offices have received a growing number of messages from Kansans and Missourians concerned about missing mail, delayed postal delivery, and extended periods with no delivery service at all,\u201d wrote Davids and her colleagues. \u201cThe USPS Office of the Inspector General identified clear deficiencies\u2026and identified numerous other issues related to the safety and security of personnel in this audit.\u201d\n\nConducted by the independent USPS Office of Inspector General (OIG), the recent audit examined operations at the Kansas City Postal and Distribution Center following reports of some of the nation\u2019s slowest mail service in the nation. The audit identified several deficiencies, including delays in mail delivery, issues with package scanning, and poor property conditions. In response, Davids and her colleagues are calling on the USPS to promptly implement the OIG\u2019s recommended solutions.\n\n\u201cIt is unacceptable that these facilities have fallen and are failing to keep up with the USPS standard of service. We wholeheartedly urge the leadership of the Postal Service to roll out the recommendations of the USPS Office of the Inspector General immediately to improve the service of the USPS in the Kansas City Metro area for our constituents.\u201d Davids and her colleagues continued.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/addressing-constituent-concerns-davids-calls-answers-slow-global-entry", "Addressing Constituent Concerns, Davids Calls for Answers on Slow Global Entry Application Process", "2024-09-12", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representatives Sharice Davids (KS-03) and Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) urged U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) to address the delays in processing Global Entry applications. In their letter, Davids and her colleagues emphasized complaints from constituents about long wait times and challenges securing in-person appointments at nearby locations within a reasonable timeframe.\n\n\"Our offices are often a last resort when constituents need help with Global Entry\u2026Due to the inadequate transparency and communication by the agency, CBP has left our constituents confused, which impacts how and when our constituents apply for their initial or renewed Global Entry status. As a result, our constituents turn to our offices for assistance. While we are happy to assist in any way we can, we also recognize that dedicating both our district office staff\u2019s time and resources as well as that of the CBP congressional liaisons may be better spent on more urgent constituent services,\" wrote Davids and her colleagues.\n\n\u201cIn addition to the rise in applications, the lack of accessible locations for in-person interviews has also become a reoccurring issue for our constituents. In the state of Kansas, for example, there are currently no Global Entry enrollment centers that process the required interview for clearance in Kansas. To obtain an in-person interview, these constituents are required to travel out of state to surrounding states like Missouri, Iowa, or Nebraska. Even then, the appointments for the Global Entry processing centers in these states yield an average wait time of close to 100 days.\u201d Davids and her colleagues continued.\n\nGlobal Entry is a program that permits expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival into the United States. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, international travel to and from the United States has surged, leading to a sharp rise in Global Entry applications. CBP is expected to receive nearly 4 million Global Entry applications in 2024, about 1 million more than in 2023.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-joins-shawnee-family-day-care-pick-discusses-her-bipartisan-affordable", "Davids Joins Shawnee Family for Day Care Pick-Up, Discusses Her Bipartisan Affordable Childcare Act", "2024-09-06", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Yesterday, Representative Sharice Davids accompanied a Shawnee family to pick up their children from day care. Davids then joined the parents, who considered having one of them stay home from work due to high child care costs, to discuss her bipartisan Affordable Childcare Act. The bill doubles three different tax credits, putting money directly in parents\u2019 pockets. According to a report, working parents with young children are spending 24 percent of their income on child care, prompting urgent action to lower child care costs.\n\n\u201cChild care is essential not only for giving kids like Eli and Colby Zigtema a strong start, but also for allowing parents to earn a living and support their families,\" said Davids. \"Growing up with a single mom, I know how much a little extra money in the bank account can mean. That\u2019s why I introduced bipartisan legislation to help the Zigtemas and other hardworking Kansas families afford the quality child care they need.\u201d\n\n\"Child care is by far and away our single biggest expense as a family, and it's a topic of conversation with every parent we know,\u201d said Joe Zigtema and Paige McArdle, local parents. \u201cAllowing working families to pay that expense with pre-tax money is a no-brainer \u00ad\u2014 parents need all the help they can get.\"\n\nDavids\u2019 bipartisan Affordable Childcare Act, which she introduced earlier this year alongside Representative Marc Molinaro (R-NY-19), would:\n\nDouble the Child and Dependent Care Credit, which helps families offset the cost of child care and dependent care expenses, allowing them to claim a percentage of these expenses on their federal income tax return.\n\nThe Affordable Childcare Actdoubles the Credit to $6,000 for one dependent and $12,000 for two or more, helping working families afford child care as costs rise.\n\nDouble the Employer-Provided Child Care Credit, which allows businesses to claim a credit for providing child care facilities or services to their employees, encouraging employers to support their workers' child care needs.\n\nThe Affordable Childcare Actdoublesthe Credit to $300,000 per year, covering 25 percent of qualified child care facility expenses and 10 percent of child care resource and referral expenses, to encourage businesses to invest more in child care.\n\nDouble the amount a person can contribute to a dependent care flexible spending account, which is an employer-sponsored benefit that allows employees to set aside pre-tax money to cover eligible dependent care expenses.\n\nThe Affordable Childcare Act doubles the account contribution limit to $10,000, enabling parents to save and utilize more pre-tax dollars for qualifying caregiving expenses.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-highlights-federal-tax-credits-lower-energy-bills-kansas-families", "Davids Highlights Federal Tax Credits to Lower Energy Bills for Kansas Families", "2024-09-04", "2024", "2024-09", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids visited a family in Kansas City, KS to see firsthand how new federal tax credits are helping Kansans lower their utility bills. Kansans who make qualified energy-efficient improvements to their homes may qualify for certain tax credits, which have already saved 3.4 million American families more than $8 billion. These home energy efficiency savings were created by the Inflation Reduction Act, which Davids was the only member of Kansas\u2019 congressional delegation to support.\n\n\"These tax breaks, which I proudly supported in Congress, are making a real difference for Kansas families by reducing utility costs and encouraging energy-efficient home improvements,\u201d said Davids. \u201cFamilies like Gayle and Anthony's are already seeing the benefits, with lower bills and more sustainable homes. I encourage everyone to explore these opportunities. They provide meaningful savings that can help ease the financial burden on hardworking Kansans and can cut pollution to protect our health at the same time.\"\n\n\"We installed solar panels in 2021 and knew that eventually we wanted to make our home more energy efficient to make the most out of that investment,\u201d said Gayle Bergman and Anthony Null, Kansas City, KS residents. \u201cThanks to Rep. Davids' Inflation Reduction Act, we received a rebate after having an energy audit and adding insulation last year. This sets us up for our next step: going all-electric by replacing our furnace with a heat pump and upgrading to an electric water heater. We're grateful for Rep. Davids' support, which not only helps us get money back when we file our taxes but also helps us save on our energy bills every month.\"\n\nGayle Bergman and Anthony Null, the family Davids visited today, spent $949 on a home energy audit and the installation of energy-efficient insulation in their basement. They then received a tax credit of $285 when filing their annual taxes. They are also seeing savings on their monthly utility bills.\n\nThe Inflation Reduction Act extended and expanded these tax credits that help households invest in residential clean energy such as solar panels, as well as home energy efficiency. Specific energy-efficiency improvements eligible for tax credits include:\n\nWeatherization Projects: 30 percent tax credit, capped at:\n\n$1,200 per year for insulation and air sealing\n\n$250 per year per energy-efficient door (max $500)\n\n$600 per year for energy-efficient windows\n\n$150 per year for home energy audits\n\nHeat Pumps: 30 percent tax credit, capped at $2,000, for heat pump HVAC systems or water heaters\n\nBattery Storage: 30 percent tax credit with no cap\n\nGeothermal Heating: 30 percent tax credit with no cap\n\nRooftop Solar: 30 percent tax credit with no cap, plus an additional 30 percent tax credit for a new electrical panel if installed with solar.\n\nDavids, who was raised by a single mother and is still paying off student loan debt, has worked diligently to lower costs for hardworking Kansans. She helped pass a law that caps the cost of insulin at $35 a month for seniors and finally lets Medicare negotiate for lower prescription drug prices, saving 74,000 Kansans on Medicare up to 79 percent on certain medicines.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:43:57Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-announces-federal-grant-improve-garnett-airport-infrastructure", "Davids Announces Federal Grant to Improve Garnett Airport Infrastructure", "2024-08-28", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $394,310 to Garnett Municipal Airport to reconstruct a crumbling runway. The award stems from the FAA\u2019s Airport Improvement Program, which was supported by the bipartisan infrastructure law. Davids, a member of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was the only member of the Kansas delegation to vote for the law.\n\n\"When we make targeted investments in local infrastructure, our communities become safer, more efficient, and better equipped to handle future economic development and job growth,\" said Davids. \"Our community is located in the middle of the country, so we are perfectly situated to be a national leader in shipping and logistics, which improves domestic supply chains and lowers costs for Kansas families and businesses. This new investment to improve aging airport infrastructure in Garnett will help ensure we can continue to move goods and ensure Kansans are safe while flying.\"\n\nThe Garnett Municipal Airport will utilize this federal grant to reconstructs 2,653 feet of runway, improving structural integrity and minimizing foreign object debris. In the past decade, inconsistent funding has prohibited the timely modernization of airspace technology and infrastructure. This award will help reverse that trend so American air travel remains the safest and most efficient in the world.\n\n\u201cThis initiative is a key component of the plan to upgrade the runway, originally constructed in 1947, to better serve modern aviation needs,\u201d said Pat Schettler, Airport Manager, Garnett Municipal Airport. \u201cThe project, funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), was made possible with the support of Federal representatives, the KDOT, and local officials. It will enable the airport to support the community with air ambulance services, business aviation, and agricultural spraying.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-celebrates-federal-investment-strengthen-food-supply-chain-lower", "Davids Celebrates Federal Investment to Strengthen Food Supply Chain, Lower Grocery Costs", "2024-08-20", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids celebrated the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s new investments in Kansas that will strengthen food supply chains, increase independent meat and poultry processing capacity, and lower food costs. Through two grant programs, created by the Davids-supported American Rescue Plan, meat and poultry processers across Kansas will receive more than $10.5 million. These actions will help lower food costs by spurring competition and strengthening supply chains.\n\n\u201cDuring the pandemic, supply chain disruptions and reliance on foreign-made goods led to higher grocery prices and uncertainty for the farmers and producers in Kansas who contribute to our state\u2019s largest economic engine,\u201d said Davids. \u201cDespite recent progress in strengthening our supply chains, grocery costs still must come down for hardworking families. These new federal investments in Kansa processing will lower those costs by increasing productivity and spurring competition.\u201d\n\n\u201cThese investments in local meat and poultry processing businesses will bolster employment opportunities in our rural communities, strengthen the food supply chain, and enhance our farmers\u2019 and ranchers\u2019 opportunities to add value to their livestock,\u201d said Mike Beam, Secretary, Kansas Department of Agriculture. \u201cStrengthening these small businesses will also provide additional access and more choices for consumers.\u201d\n\nThe new awards are provided through two federal grant programs that include the:\n\nMeat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP)\n\nTop End LLC - $2,445,654\n\nTo build a new USDA-inspected beef and hog processing facility in western Kansas that will create 19 new jobs.\n\nReal Kansas Meats LLC - $6,871,380\n\nTo build and equip a slaughter and fabrication facility, serving 100 producers and creating 117 new full-time jobs.\n\nLocal Meat Capacity (Local MCap) Grant Program\n\nMeade Locker & Processing, LLC (Meade, KS) - $250,000\n\nTo upgrade equipment to double beef and pork processing, improve safety, create 4-5 new local jobs.\n\nMD UHL dba Allen Meat Processing LLC (Allen, KS) - $139,429.38\n\nTo upgrade meat processing capacity, streamline operations, and improve food safety, increasing efficiency by an estimated 75 percent.\n\nSimon Meat Locker LLC (Olsburg, KS) - $241,500\n\nTo increase freezer space by 100 percent, quadruple ground meat and sausage processing efficiency, and improve worker safety and humane treatment.\n\nMoeders Meats (WaKeeney, KS) - $175,755\n\nTo upgrade equipment to serve 75 to 100 more local farmers and ranchers and purchase up to 300 percent more products from local producers.\n\nRainbow Organic Farms dba Good Natured Family Farms (Bronson, KS) - $169,881.96\n\nTo purchase additional cold storage capacity while upgrading slaughter and packaging equipment, increasing processing capacity by 500 heads of beef per year.\n\nKrehbiels Specialty Meats, Inc. (McPherson, KS) - $250,000\n\nTo install a brine injector, smokehouse, patty machine, and meat slicer, increasing processing capacity by 25 percent and creating up to 20 new jobs.\n\nWhile our economy is experiencing record job creation, the cost of groceries remains high. To help lower those costs, Davids, who was named a \"Champion of the Shippers,\" has worked to shore up our domestic supply chains, which eases inflationary pressures for Kansans. Davids\u2019 additional work to lower grocery costs and strengthen supply chains include:\n\nIntroducing bipartisan legislation to protect America's food and agriculture supply chain and address China's growing influence in critical agricultural sectors.\n\nVoting to pass the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act to shore up the food and agriculture supply chain, assure fair competition in the meat and poultry sectors, and lower food and gasoline costs.\n\nHolding multipleroundtables with Kansas business, manufacturing, and technology leaders on how recent legislation to improve supply chains will help boost their businesses' financial security.\n\nCosponsoring the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, a new law aimed at addressing supply chain snags and reducing dependence on goods produced outside of the United States.\n\nMeeting with President Biden at the White House to urge him to pass a supply chain and economic package that invests in American manufacturing.\n\nWorking a \"Sharice's Shift\" at a local Price Chopper, where she helped store employees unload deliveries from shipping trucks, stock grocery shelves, and bag groceries.\n\nAs a member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, Davids is also working to craft a bipartisan Farm Bill that supports Kansas farmers and lowers costs, including by securing agricultural supply chains to keep costs low and support our state\u2019s largest economic sector. Davids recently hosted USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, Senator Pat Roberts, and other policymakers to discuss the successes and challenges of Kansas\u2019 farmers and producers.\n\nWATCH: Davids inquires about the USDA\u2019s efforts to lower grocery costs for Kansas families", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-celebrates-new-lower-prescription-drug-prices-during-townhall-senior", "Davids Celebrates New Lower Prescription Drug Prices During Townhall at Senior Living Center", "2024-08-16", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "OLATHE, KS - Today, Representative Sharice Davids held a townhall at Ridgeview Village Senior Living in Olathe to celebrate new reduction in prescription drug costs for Kansans on Medicare. As a result, 74,000 Kansans who take these prescription drugs will see their costs decrease by up to 79 percent. Davids was the only member of Kansas\u2019 congressional delegation to support these new cost-saving measures, that will lower Americans' out-of-pocket drug costs by $1.5 billion in the first year alone.\n\n\u201cThis week\u2019s announcement of new prescription drug savings is a major win for Kansans, including the folks I spoke with today,\u201d said Davids. \u201cFrom capping insulin costs to allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices, legislation I supported in Congress is providing significant savings and helping to ensure that our seniors have access to the affordable health care they need. I'm proud of the progress we've made, but there's more work to be done to continue lowering costs for all Kansans.\"\n\nDuring her town hall this morning, Davids highlighted how the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law exactly two years ago, continues to lower health care costs for Kansans. This week\u2019s announcement about Medicare negotiating lower prices for 10 of the most expensive and frequently used drugs will benefit thousands of Kansans. These drugs \u2014 which treat conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer \u2014 will see reduced prices starting January 1, 2026 for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.\n\nBecause of these new savings, American taxpayers are expected to save $6 billion on prescription drug costs, and people enrolled in Medicare are expected to save $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs in the first year alone. Along with allowing Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices, the Inflation Reduction Act:\n\nInsulin: Caps the cost of insulin at $35 a month for Medicare beneficiaries.\n\nThis initiative saves 4,300 insulin users in Kansas\u2019 Third District an average of $620 annually.\n\nACA Tax Credits: Extends tax breaks for people who purchase insurance on Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchanges through 2025, saving 44,000 residents in Kansas\u2019 Third District an average of $780 a year on health insurance premiums.\n\nIndividuals pay no more than 8.5 percent of their income toward health coverage \u2014 down from the previous 10 percent. Lower income individuals will pay $0 in premiums.\n\nCapping Drug Costs: Caps Medicare beneficiaries' out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,000 per year, with the option to break that amount into affordable monthly payments throughout the year.\n\nInflation Rebate: Institutes a new inflation rebate under Medicare so that drug companies must rebate back the difference to Medicare if they raise prices higher than inflation.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-statement-new-lower-prices-prescription-drugs-taken-74000-kansans", "Davids Statement on New Lower Prices for Prescription Drugs Taken by 74,000 Kansans", "2024-08-15", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Representative Sharice Davids released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced newly reduced prices for the first 10 prescription drugs, listed here, negotiated by Medicare. 74,000 Kansans will save up to 79 percent on their prescriptions. As the only member of Kansas\u2019 congressional delegation to support this measure, Davids celebrated the new savings that will reduce Americans' out-of-pocket prescription drug costs by $1.5 billion in just the first year.\n\n\u201cToday\u2019s announcement is a huge win for Kansans, especially the 74,000 Medicare enrollees who will see their prescription drug costs go down. I fought hard to pass this law because no one should have to choose between paying for necessary medicine and putting food on the table. While these savings mark another important step in our ongoing work to lower health care costs, I\u2019ll keep championing efforts to ensure every Kansan gets the affordable, quality care they need.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/school-year-begins-davids-hosts-conversation-mental-health-local-students", "As School Year Begins, Davids Hosts Conversation on Mental Health with Local Students", "2024-08-15", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "MISSION, KS - Yesterday, Representative Sharice Davids hosted a conversation with local high school students, focusing on mental health challenges and solutions for the nearly one in five teenagers affected each year. As the school year begins, Davids is dedicated to supporting Kansas youth by advocating for stronger mental health resources and policies that address their needs, ensuring every student has the support they deserve to thrive inside and outside the classroom.\n\n\u201cAddressing mental health challenges is crucial as our students head back to school,\u201d said Davids. \u201cBy engaging directly with young people and listening to their experiences, we can better understand their needs and work towards meaningful solutions. My commitment is to ensure that every student in Kansas has access to the support they need to succeed, both academically and emotionally.\u201d\n\n\u201cNow, more than ever, it is our responsibility as a community and society to uplift and aid teenagers so they feel comfortable accessing the resources they need during times of negative mental health,\u201d said Trisha Rastogi, Zero Reasons Why Teen Council member. \u201cThese years are formative, so equipping us with the knowledge, attitudes and support systems to handle our mental health now is the best way to promote improved community-wide mental health in the future. I commend Representative Sharice Davids for continually striving to support teenage mental health efforts, in my county and beyond.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re starting our seventh school year with Zero Reasons Why, and year-after-year, we see a new generation of student leaders saving lives in their schools through this important work,\" said Tim DeWeese, Director, Johnson County Mental Health Center. \u201cEach year is an opportunity for us to keep listening to and learning from our teens and their stories and letting that guide our community\u2019s efforts to prevent teen suicides.\"\n\n\u201cNew CDC data shows early but promising signs of improvement for some aspects of teen mental health, but several indicators of poor mental health still raise urgency for the need to better support struggling teens,\u201d said Amanda Walls, Senior Content Strategist, Zero Reasons Why Campaign. \u201cFostering connectedness through activities like clubs, peer-to-peer support and community outreach have been shown to make a profound difference, especially when teens are empowered to shape and lead these initiatives themselves. As a teen-led suicide prevention campaign, we are grateful to Representative Davids for her work on behalf of such initiatives and for her commitment to allow the opinions and concerns of teens inform her efforts.\u201d\n\nDavids has focused on improving mental health care since taking office. She has helped secure funding for mental health programs in Wyandotte and Johnson Counties, and has advocated for stronger mental health supports in schoolsand police departments. Her legislation to renew federal mental health grant programs for health centers, schools, and law enforcement passed the House last year. She also introduced bipartisan legislation to improve opioid misuse prevention among student athletes and additional legislation to improve mental health supports for at-risk LGBTQ+ youth.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-visits-adventhealth-ottawa-announces-push-bipartisan-action-address", "Davids Visits AdventHealth in Ottawa, Announces Push for Bipartisan Action to Address Rural Health Care Crisis", "2024-08-13", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "OTTAWA, KS \u2014 Today, Representative Sharice Davids visited AdventHealth Ottawa Health Park to tour their newly expanded health park, which now offers enhanced services, including behavioral health and express care. During her visit, Rep. Davids highlighted the urgent challenges facing rural health care in Kansas and across the country, and announced her effort to urge U.S. House leadership to bring a comprehensive package of bipartisan bills to the floor to address these critical issues.\n\n\"Rural health care is in crisis, and we need to act now,\" said Davids. \"Facilities like AdventHealth in Ottawa are doing incredible work to expand access to care, but they can't do it alone. It's time for Congress to step up and pass the legislation that will ensure every Kansan, no matter where they live, has access to the affordable health care they need.\"\n\nCurrently, 38 percent of rural hospitals in Kansas are at risk of closing, and 89 percent are operating at a financial loss \u2014 the highest percentage in the nation. This crisis has been building for years, with 10 rural hospitals shuttering since 2005. While Davids continues to push for Medicaid expansion, which has shown to improve health outcomes for rural communities, these alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for legislative action.\n\n\u201cWe welcome the opportunity to show Rep. Davids AdventHealth Ottawa Health Park that has brought new and in-demand services to the community including Express Care and behavioral health,\u201d said Sam Huenergardt, CEO of AdventHealth Mid-America Region. \u201cSupporting rural hospitals is critical to health care access and we appreciate the discussion on extending important virtual care and Medicare programs that benefit patients in Kansas.\u201d\n\nToday, Davids announced her strong support for a package of bipartisan bills aimed at addressing the most urgent challenges in rural health care, including workforce shortages, patient access, and provider sustainability. In her letter to U.S. House leadership, Davids highlighted the severe consequences of rural health care disparities and called for swift action on 13 bipartisan bills to address this growing crisis.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/local-governments-join-davids-celebrate-her-federal-investments-15-community", "Local Governments Join Davids to Celebrate Her Federal Investments for 15 Community Projects", "2024-08-09", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, after a week touring Kansas\u2019 Third District to witness the impact of her project requests, Representative Sharice Davids joined local leaders to celebrate the success of these initiatives. The 15 projects, totaling $15.8 million in fiscal year 2024, will help purchase new law enforcement training vehicles, modernize roads and bridges, improve water access during extreme weather, and more.\n\n\u201cMy job is to advocate for the Third District in Washington and make sure the priorities of folks in our community are being addressed,\u201d said Davids. \u201cOur team worked in tandem with local officials and conducted detailed reviews of each proposal to ensure they met strong standards with a high return on investment. I\u2019ve long fought for responsible budget policies that protect taxpayers, and these investments maintain that commitment to fiscal responsibility while making a difference for Kansas.\u201d\n\nBefore the press conference, Davids visited the Johnson County Regional Police Academy to celebrate her successful project request. The police academy received $150,000 in federal support for three new law enforcement training vehicles, which will provide recruits with the tools necessary to practice realistic traffic stop and driving scenarios. This investment is a critical component of enhancing the training and preparedness of future law enforcement officers.\n\n\u201cJCCC is grateful to Congresswoman Davids\u2019 and her team for supporting the Johnson County Regional Police Academy,\u201d said Sonta Wilburn, JCCC Director, Police Academy. \u201cThe funding will be designated to purchase much needed training vehicles to help prepare the next generation of law enforcement professionals in our community.\u201d\n\nA full list of Davids-secured FY2024 projects can be found here:\n\nUnified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City: Received $3,500,000 for the complete reconstruction of the Kansas Avenue Bridge, connecting Kansas and Missouri\n\nA joint request with Representative Jake LaTurner (R-KS-02)\n\nJohnson County Wastewater: Received $1,509,000 to relocate, modify, and protect sanitary sewage lines along Highway US-69.\n\nCity of Overland Park: Received $1,466,279 to reconfigure 82nd Street at Metcalf Blvd. with a traffic signal and small park.\n\nJohnson County\u2019s Emergency Operations Center: Received $1,000,000 to modernize and better respond to public safety needs.\n\nCity of Edgerton: Received $959,752 to install 2,000 feet of new sewage pipe, overcoming high-cost hurdles and the intersection of a waterway, rail line, and high-pressure gas pipeline.\n\nCity of Olathe: Received $959,752 to install backup generators at two underground water wells for risk mitigation during extreme weather.\n\nCity of De Soto: Received $959,752 to replace aging equipment at the City\u2019s water treatment plant, supporting the Panasonic EV Battery plant project.\n\nCity of Garnett: Received $959,752 to help construct a new water treatment plant, providing safe drinking water to 3,400 Kansans.\n\nCity of Mission: Received $850,000 for roadway improvements, including pavement reconstruction, curb and gutter replacement, and installation of new sidewalks and streetlights.\n\nCity of Overland Park: Received $850,000 to update 190 outdated traffic signal controllers.\n\nCity of Gardner: Received $850,000 to construct new underground water pipes for wastewater movement to the treatment facility.\n\nCity of Olathe: Received $791,000 to replace the generator at the Renner Water Pump Station, ensuring compliance with modern codes.\n\nCity of Leawood: Received $500,000 to raise a key roadway above the floodplain, enhancing emergency response times and citizen safety.\n\nCity of De Soto: Received $500,000 to build a new water tower, supporting the Panasonic EV battery plant and managing water flow for new developments.\n\nJohnson County Regional Police Academy: Received $150,000 to purchase three law enforcement training vehicles.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-celebrates-her-federal-investment-replace-wastewater-systems-needed-us", "Davids Celebrates Her Federal Investment to Replace Wastewater Systems Needed for US-69 Expansion", "2024-08-07", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids visited a portion of Highway US-69 in Johnson County to celebrate her successful funding request to relocate or modify sanitary sewers along the busy roadway. The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has deemed this project necessary to properly modernize and expand Highway US-69, ensuring safer streets and less congestion.\n\nThe project, which will benefit from $1.5 million in federal support, is part of 15 Davids-secured projects to purchase new law enforcement training vehicles, modernize roads and bridges, improve water access during extreme weather, and more. Additional information on each project can be found here.\n\n\u201cModernizing US-69 has been a priority since my predecessor's predecessor, and these new investments for Johnson County\u2019s wastewater systems will ensure the project can be completed efficiently, decreasing congestion and increasing safety,\u201d said Davids. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to have worked with our local officials to request targeted investments in our infrastructure that make our communities safer, more efficient, and better equipped to handle expected growth and future tourism.\"\n\nDavids\u2019 successful project request for Johnson County Wastewater will be used to relocate, adjust, modify, and protect some sanitary sewers along Highway US-69 from W. 103rd Street to W. 151st Street and the W. 167th Street interchange. The project is necessary for the US-69 Express expansion, which is partially funded by the Davids-supported bipartisan infrastructure law, will address safety and congestion issues that have been identified for the past 25 years. Davids previously helped break ground on the project and worked a \u201cSharice\u2019s Shift\u201d to highlight the bipartisan infrastructure law\u2019s impact.\n\n\"I'm thankful to Rep. Davids for securing $1.5M in federal funding to support our expert Johnson County Wastewater team and its partners in their work to relocate, modify and protect our crucial wastewater treatment infrastructure as part of the Highway US-69 project,\u201d said Mike Kelly, Chairman, Johnson County Board of Commissioners. \u201cRep. Davids' advocacy greatly reduces the direct financial impact of this crucial infrastructure project to Johnson County taxpayers. This partnership is an example of what's possible when all levels of government work together - we cut costs and improve services for residents.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-celebrates-federal-investment-bridge-replacement-project-between-kansas", "Davids Celebrates Federal Investment for Bridge Replacement Project Between Kansas, Missouri", "2024-08-05", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids visited the Kansas Avenue Bridge replacement project to celebrate her and Representative Jake LaTurner\u2019s (R-KS-02) successful funding request to help replace a bridge that connects Kansas to Missouri and supports 8,000 trips daily. The bridge has been closed for multiple years.\n\nThe bridge, which will benefit from $3.5 million in federal support, is part of 15 Davids-secured projects to purchase new law enforcement training vehicles, modernize roads and bridges, improve water access during extreme weather, and more. Additional information on each project can be found here.\n\n\u201cThis project to replace the Kansas Avenue Bridge marks a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance infrastructure and connectivity in our region, ensuring safer and more efficient travel for folks living in both Kansas and Missouri,\u201d said Davids. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to have worked with Representative LaTurner and our local officials to request targeted investments in our infrastructure that make our communities safer, more efficient, and better equipped to handle expected growth and future tourism.\"\n\nDavids successful project request for the KC Connect Bistate River Bridge will reconnect the Kansas and Missouri using modern streetscapes with improved pedestrian, bicycle, and ADA accommodations. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City will use the funding to update the bridge, so it meets Complete Streets standards, which are streets designed and operated to enable safe use and support mobility for all users.\n\n\"On behalf of the Unified Government, I want to thank Representative Sharice Davids for securing the vital investments needed for the Kansas Avenue Bridge reconstruction,\" said Tyrone Garner, Mayor, Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City. \"Reopening this bridge will greatly enhance connectivity and safety for Wyandotte County and the broader metropolitan area. The bipartisan efforts of Representative Davids and Congressman LaTurner are making a meaningful, lasting impact on our community.\"\n\n\u201cKansans rely on infrastructure like the Kansas Avenue Bridge every day.\u201d said Calvin Reed, Kansas Secretary of Transportation. \u201cKDOT welcomes the opportunity to work with federal and local partners so future generations of Kansans benefit from a well-functioning transportation system.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-calls-senate-pass-bipartisan-tax-cuts-families-small-businesses", "Davids Calls on Senate to Pass Bipartisan Tax Cuts for Families, Small Businesses", "2024-08-01", "2024", "2024-08", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids urged the Senate to pass a bipartisan tax package aimed at reducing taxes for hardworking families and small businesses in Kansas. The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, which Davids voted to supported in January, includes key policies she has long championed, such as the Child Tax Credit (CTC), small business research and development (R&D) credits, and affordable housing provisions. Davids expressed hope that the strong bipartisan support shown in the U.S. House earlier this year will continue as the Senate votes on the legislation today.\n\n\"Having been raised by a single mother, I understand firsthand the challenges that hardworking families face today,\u201d said Davids. \u201cThat\u2019s why I urge the Senate to pass this bipartisan package of middle-class tax cuts, which provides much-needed relief to families and small businesses in Kansas. It would benefit our communities, help parents, foster job growth, and create more affordable housing options at home. It's time for the Senate to support these measures, as we did in the House with overwhelming bipartisan support, and promote Kansans' wellbeing.\"\n\nThe bipartisan tax package includes provisions that provide financial relief to Kansas families and small businesses, including:\n\nChild Tax Credit: Expands direct payments to parents over the next three years, benefiting 136,000 children in Kansas. This would help lift as many as 500,000 children out of poverty nationally.\n\nDavids previously voted for the American Rescue Plan, which expanded the CTC in 2021. These provisions benefited 148,000 children in Kansas\u2019 Third District.\n\nSmall Business Credits: Expands the R&D tax credit, which encourages investment in innovation, allowing small businesses to better compete globally and create jobs.\n\nDavids previously led the Kansas Delegation to call on House Leadership to reinstate business-friendly R&D tax rules.\n\nShe also joined her New Democrat Coalition colleagues to call on House Leadership to expand the R&D tax credit, which was weakened in 2017.\n\nAffordable Housing: Strengthens the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, which boosts affordable rental housing in rural, suburban, and urban Kansas. This program has financed 38,391 affordable homes in Kansas since 1986.\n\nDavids previously joined Representative Jake LaTurner (R-KS-02) to urge U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to schedule a vote on a bill to increase affordable housing option. Today\u2019s package includes provisions from that legislation.\n\nPrice Tag is Offset: Completely pays for itself by ending a pandemic-era program, known as the Employee Retention Tax Credit, that has been riddled with fraud and cost more than had been projected.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:36:13Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-cleaver-announce-federal-grant-create-jobs-advance-cutting-edge", "Davids, Cleaver Announce Federal Grant to Create Jobs, Advance Cutting-Edge Research in KC Region", "2024-07-26", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, U.S. Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS) and Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce awarded the Kansas City Inclusive Biologics and Biomanufacturing Tech Hub (KC BioHub) with $500,000 as part of the Regional Technology and Innovation Hub (Tech Hub) program. Tech Hubs, created under the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, seek to ensure that industries of the future \u2014 and their quality jobs \u2014 are created, grow, and remain in the United States.\n\n\u201cWith our top-notch research capabilities and talented workforce, the KC region is ready to lead the country in innovation,\u201d said Davids. \u201cThese new investments will help KC BioHub continue its crucial work, create good-paying jobs, and attract skilled workers. Congressman Cleaver and I will continue to be its biggest champions in Congress as it applies for future grant opportunities that benefit our region.\u201d\n\n\u201cFrom biomanufacturing to our growing tech industry, Kansas City is leading the country in innovation and attracting talented workers seeking an opportunity to work on cutting-edge research \u2014 and the rest of the nation is taking notice,\u201d said Congressman Cleaver. \u201cAs strong supporters of the bipartisan CHIPS Act, I\u2019m thrilled to join Representative Davids in announcing another $500,000 in federal funding that will enable the KC BioHub to continue expanding and developing this burgeoning industry throughout the KC Region. It\u2019s just another example of what can be accomplished for our communities when we put people over politics and focus on bipartisan solutions for Missouri workers and families.\u201d\n\nIn October 2023, the greater Kansas City region was designated as a Tech Hub, one of 31 inaugural Tech Hubs across the country that show potential for rapid growth in key technology sectors. The Tech Hubs Program\u2019s Consortium Accelerator Award will enable KC BioHub to continue its crucial work and advance planning efforts for future implementation of grant funding.\n\nThe KC BioHub, a consortium led by BioNexus KC, is increasing domestic production of life-saving vaccines and other preventative technologies by strengthening innovation in animal and human vaccine development. With the largest concentration of animal health and nutrition companies in the world, this Tech Hub will leverage the region\u2019s biotechnology assets and existing vaccine manufacturing facilities, research institutions, and startup ecosystem to enable the U.S. to capture a greater market share of human vaccine development.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-highlights-kansas-pride-conversation-2024-paris-olympian", "Davids Highlights Kansas Pride in Conversation with 2024 Paris Olympian", "2024-07-25", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, on the eve of the 2024 Paris Olympic opening ceremony, Representative Sharice Davids released a video of her conversation with Derrick Mein, Kansas' sole Olympic athlete in the 2024 Games. Mein, hailing from Paola, KS, will compete in trap shooting events. This marks his second Olympic appearance, following his gold medal performance at the 2022 Shotgun World Championship in Osijek, Croatia.\n\nWATCH: Davids speaks with Derrick Mein, 2024 Paris Olympian from Kansas, on his journey to the Olympics\n\n\u201cDerrick\u2019s dedication and achievements are a testament to the hard work and talent that come from our great state,\u201d said Davids. \u201cIt was an honor to speak with him and hear about his journey, his passion for the sport, and his hopes for the upcoming Games. I know our entire community will be cheering him on as he competes on the world stage!\u201d\n\n\u201cIt's awesome knowing that there are people back home that are there watching and hoping that I can perform at my best and bring home a medal,\u201d said Derrick Mein, 2024 Paris Olympic athlete from Kansas. \u201cIt helps give me that extra little boost that you need sometimes to go perform well.\u201d\n\nIn their conversation, Davids and Mein, a Kansas State University alumnus with a degree in Animal Science and Industry, discussed his early beginnings in sporting clays, where he joined a local league with his father, and his progression into an Olympic-level athlete. Mein also shared insights from his experiences at previous competitions and the support he continues to receive from Kansas.\n\nMein began shooting with his father at the age of eight and developed his skills across various disciplines, including sporting clays, skeet, trap, international trap, and helice. His accolades include national titles and Team USA honors. When not training, he enjoys hobbies such as hunting, fishing, and spending quality time with his family. More information on Mein\u2019s background and accolades can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-davids-hosts-discussion-bbq-restaurant-owners-releases-updated-small", "ICYMI: Davids Hosts Discussion with BBQ Restaurant Owners, Releases Updated Small Business Report", "2024-07-23", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Last week, Representative Sharice Davids hosted a conversation with KC-area BBQ restaurant owners on addressing the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses in Kansas. Following the event, Davids released an updated report on the current state of small business in Kansas\u2019 Third Congressional District. Davids is a member of the U.S. House Small Business Committee.\n\nDavids\u2019 efforts to support Kansas small businesses made headlines across the state:\n\nKSHB: Rep. Sharice Davids Hosts Discussion with BBQ Restaurants, Releases Small Business Report\n\n\u201cKansas Congresswoman Sharice Davids hosted barbecue restaurant owners from across the metro for a group discussion on the successes and challenges of running a small business.\n\nAt the roundtable, she released a report on the state of small businesses in her district, the Kansas Third. Her report shows in 2023, 10,600 new business applications were filed. That's up from an average of 7,500 since 2019.\n\n\u2018One of the key takeaways is that we continue to see that small businesses are the backbone of our economy. It's just really clear that we have to continue to do everything we can to support our small business owners.\u2019\n\nThe Congresswoman's report also found 175,911 workers were employed by 16,173 small businesses in 2023. That makes up 92.2% of all third district employers.\u201d\n\nJohnson County Post: Rep. Sharice Davids touts small business report as campaign season heats up\n\n\u201cA new small business report released by U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids\u2019 office shows strong numbers for Kansas\u2019s Third Congressional District, which includes Johnson County.\n\nReleased on Thursday, the report shows the Third District saw an increase in overall business requests, with Johnson County leading the state in small business applications. It also shows an increase in manufacturing jobs.\n\n\u2018It\u2019s just really clear that we have to continue to do everything we can to support our small business owners,\u2019 Davids said to the Johnson County Post at a small business roundtable in Lenexa.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nSome of the key findings in the report, which was prepared by Davids\u2019s office, include:\n\nIn 2023, 10,704 new business applications were filed in Kansas\u2019 Third District, up 12.6% since 2022 and 42.7% since 2019.\n\nOut of the state\u2019s overall 33,269 new small business applications in 2023, Johnson County led the state with 8,272 new applications.\n\nOf the 10,600 jobs created in the state in 2023, 2,300 come from manufacturing.\n\nIn 2023, the Kansas Small Business Development Center \u2014 a state-based arm of the U.S. Small Business Administration \u2014 served 1,399 clients, leading to $94 million in annual sales, 4,714 jobs created and 52 new businesses.\n\nBefore the release of the report Thursday, Davids met with local barbecue restaurant owners and other small business representatives, as well as officials from the Kansas Department of Agriculture and Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce, for a roundtable discussion at Jack Stack Barbecue in Lenexa.\n\n[\u2026]\n\n\u2018We brought together a diverse group of people to talk about \u2026 how they\u2019ve been handling some things, like the rising costs of inputs and the impact it\u2019s having on customers. But also, what are some of the things that folks have done to navigate that? And what are ways that, from the federal perspective, I can be helpful?\u2019 she said.\n\nHighlighting a bipartisan Farm Bill that her office has been working on, Davids said she\u2019s hoping to help make things easier for small businesses along the supply chain.\n\n\u2018We want to make sure that, as we\u2019re looking at the federal policies, that they\u2019re not overly burdensome on our farmers and ranchers,\u2019 she said.\u201d\n\nKCLY: Rep. Sharice Davids Releases Updated Report On Small Business Growth In Kansas\u2019 Third District\n\n\u201cRepresentative Sharice Davids hosted a conversation with several Kansas City-area BBQ restaurant owners at Jack Stack Barbecue in Lenexa. The discussion centered on addressing the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses in Kansas, including navigating the current economic landscape and leveraging federal resources. Following the event, Davids released an updated report on the current state of small businesses in Kansas\u2019 Third Congressional District. Davids is a member of the U.S. House Small Business Committee.\n\n\u2018During today\u2019s conversation with KC-area BBQ restaurant owners, we discussed important issues facing our small businesses, from navigating economic challenges to maximizing federal resources,\u2019 said Davids. \u2018As a member of the House Small Business Committee, I\u2019m committed to ensuring these entrepreneurs have the support needed to thrive and keep serving up Kansas City\u2019s world-renowned BBQ in our community.\u2019", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-hosts-discussion-bbq-restaurant-owners-releases-updated-small-business", "Davids Hosts Discussion with BBQ Restaurant Owners, Releases Updated Small Business Report", "2024-07-18", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "LENEXA, KS \u2013 Today, Representative Sharice Davids hosted a conversation with multiple KC-area BBQ restaurant owners at Jack Stack Barbecue in Lenexa. The discussion focused on addressing the challenges and opportunities facing small businesses in Kansas, including navigating current economic landscapes and leveraging federal resources. Following the event, Davids released an updated report on the current state of small business in Kansas\u2019 Third Congressional District. Davids is a member of the U.S. House Small Business Committee.\n\n\"During today's conversation with KC-area BBQ restaurant owners, we discussed important issues facing our small businesses, from navigating economic challenges to maximizing federal resources,\u201d said Davids. \u201cAs a member of the House Small Business Committee, I'm committed to ensuring these entrepreneurs have the support needed to thrive and keep serving up Kansas City's world-renowned BBQ in our community.\"\n\n\u201cThe business of barbeque is currently facing unprecedented challenges,\u201d said Ron Gray, Chief Executive Officer, Kansas City Barbeque Society. \u201cThe significant rise in protein costs, particularly in the post-pandemic era, has severely impacted the industry, posing increasing difficulties for small businesses. Representative Sharice Davids's unwavering support for business owners through her work on the U.S. House Small Business Committee is crucial in these trying times, ensuring the resilience of our small business community.\u201d\n\n\u201cI know that 'support small businesses' is a very overused statement and as such, may not land as well as it used to,\u201d said Ciaran Molloy, General Manager/Owner, Woodyard BBQ. \u201cHowever, it is so important to have them as they are one of the last lines of defense against the huge food corporations in what essentially are oligopolies now. If you want interesting and loved food made by people that live in your town and who, importantly, also spend in that same town, keep visiting your local businesses and restaurants.\u201d\n\n\u201cSmall food businesses make a valuable contribution to the $81 billion food and agriculture industry in Kansas,\u201d said Kelsey Olson, Deputy Secretary, Kansas Department of Agriculture. \u201cSupporting small businesses will strengthen the state\u2019s largest economic driver.\u201d\n\n\u201cSmall businesses are the engine that drive our regional economy. The hard work and dedication of entrepreneurs is an inspiration as they innovate and evolve to better serve the community,\u201d said Cathy Bennett, Senior VP Public Policy, Greater KC Chamber of Commerce. \u201cThis is particularly true for those in food service and the hospitality industry who are often the first smiling face to greet visitors to greater Kansas City, ensuring their stay is something to talk about when they go home and solidifying our reputation in places outside the metropolitan area. The KC Chamber values the opportunity to work with Congresswoman Davids to better understand the needs of our diverse small business sector so that we can advocate for opportunities to reduce barriers to their growth. When you want to understand the heart of a region \u2013 look to the strength of its small business community. And ours is second to none.\u201d\n\n\u201cSmall businesses are the backbone of rural communities. Livestock producers are small business owners,\u201d said Matt Teagarden, Chief Executive Officer, Kansas Livestock Association. \u201cThese businesses supply high-quality protein to retailers and restaurants that deliver those products to consumers. It is incredibly important to our members that we ensure an environment in which small businesses can thrive. KLA members appreciate Rep. Davids\u2019 work on issues important to small businesses.\u201d\n\nImage\n\nImage\n\nA portion of Rep. Sharice Davids\u2019 updated small business report, showing the state of the Third District\u2019s small business ecosystem.\n\nAttendees for today\u2019s conversation included Jack Stack BBQ, Brobeck BBQ, Woodyard Bar-B-Que, Jones Bar-B-Que, Kansas City Barbecue Society, Kansas Department of Agriculture, Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Livestock Association, and Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.\n\nIn the updated report, which follows Davids\u2019 initial report released in 2022, Davids shares insight into the recent growth of local small businesses and what she is doing in Congress to support that growth, including voting to strengthen domestic supply chains and introducing legislation to support underrepresented business owners like women, veterans, and Native Americans. Key findings include:\n\nIn 2023, 10,704 new business applications were filed in Kansas\u2019 Third District, up 12.6 percent since 2022 and 42.7 percent since 2019.\n\nOut of Kansas\u2019 33,268 new small business applications in 2023, Johnson County led the state with 8,272 new applications from the county.\n\nThe Kansas Small Business Development Center (SBDC) served 1,399 clients in 2023, leading to $94 million in annual sales, 4,714 jobs created, and 52 new businesses.\n\nIn 2023, Kansas\u2019 Third District had 16,374 small businesses employing 169,254 people \u2013 making up 92.4 percent of all district employers.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:32:29Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-discusses-16m-federal-grant-combat-fentanyl-joins-ks-highway-patrol", "Davids Discusses $16M Federal Grant to Combat Fentanyl, Joins KS Highway Patrol on Drug Seizure Route", "2024-07-02", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "OVERLAND PARK, KS - Today, Representative Sharice Davids met with the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program to discuss the impact of a new $15.9 million federal grant to help seize illicit drugs like fentanyl. She then accompanied a Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) officer on their patrol route and met with the Overland Park Crisis Action Team (OPCAT), which provides mental health-related support during emergency calls. The federal grant will help law enforcement seize illicit drugs like fentanyl, reduce violent crime associated with drug trafficking, and improve data collection \u2014 all to keep Kansans safe.\n\n\u201cIn our state and around the country, the fentanyl crisis has become a public health emergency. That\u2019s why I helped bring these new resources home to Kansas to help local law enforcement get these illicit drugs off our streets and keep families safe and healthy,\u201d said Davids. \u201cAddressing this crisis head-on will require all of us working together, and it was inspiring to see this collaboration in action today.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe funding will certainly impact the Midwest and its communities,\u201d said Daniel Neill, Midwest HIDTA. \u201cThe funding will enhance the investigative efforts of state, local, and federal law enforcement in combatting drug trafficking, violence, and the fentanyl crisis.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Kansas Highway Patrol has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with Midwest HIDTA as we both focus on suppressing the flow of illicit drugs, such as fentanyl, into neighborhoods across Kansas and the rest of the country,\u201d said Dax Lewis, Captain, Kansas Highway Patrol. \u201cThe Kansas Highway Patrol is grateful for the annual grant funding from Midwest HIDTA for the Kansas Interdiction Support initiative. This funding is utilized to support all aspects of KHP\u2019s anti-smuggling initiatives. The grant is used to keep more troopers on the road, resulting in the seizure of more deadly poison, making neighborhoods a safer place for families. The Kansas Highway Patrol is also very appreciative of Representative Davids\u2019 support of law enforcement and her efforts to combat a crisis that impacts so many families.\u201d\n\nDavids, a member of the bipartisan Fentanyl Prevention Caucus, has been a vocal advocate around fentanyl and opioid death prevention. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine and is increasingly found in fake prescription pills such as Vicodin, OxyContin, or hydrocodone. Davids met with Libby Davis, a Johnson County resident, whose son passed away after taking a counterfeit pill that was unknowingly laced with fentanyl. Following their meeting, Davids co-sponsored and helped pass legislation through the House that creates a public awareness campaign about synthetic opioids through the Department of Health and Human Services.\n\nDavids has collaborated with Midwest HIDTA, a regional office working to reduce illicit drug availability, on multiple fentanyl summits with health care workers, education professionals, and law enforcement officers. She has also taken several legislative actions based on the specific needs of the Kansas Third District, including:\n\nJoining a bipartisan group of lawmakers to request funding for new handheld mass spectrometry trace level chemical detection devices at domestic ports.\n\nUrging the FDA to take up expert recommendations and make Narcan, a common naloxone nasal spray, available without a prescription \u2014 which they did earlier this year.\n\nHosting a Facebook Live conversation with Blue Valley School District and Johnson County Mental Health Center about opioid use in schools.\n\nVoting to permanently place all fentanyl-related substances into a Schedule I class, labeling the drug with a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical value.\n\nPushing for expanded federal grant opportunities, so law enforcement and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) can easily acquire life-saving Naloxone kits.\n\nVisiting the Port of Long Beach to see how the port uses state-of-the-art technologies to prevent harmful substances \u2014 like fentanyl \u2014 from entering the country illegally.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-statement-supreme-courts-presidential-immunity-decision", "Davids Statement on Supreme Court\u2019s Presidential Immunity Decision", "2024-07-01", "2024", "2024-07", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision in Trump v. United States. Davids has said time and again that no one is above the law, including politicians or former Presidents.\n\n\u201cI have always said that no one is above the law, including Presidents from either party. The former President's reckless actions, which instilled fear and incited violence, demand accountability. However, this goes beyond one individual. The public deserves to have full faith in the people representing them now and in the future, but that\u2019s impossible if bad actors can evade consequences solely based on their title.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:24:45Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-statement-supreme-courts-january-6-prosecution-decision", "Davids Statement on Supreme Court\u2019s January 6 Prosecution Decision", "2024-06-28", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision in Fischer v. U.S. Davids, who was in the Capitol complex during the January 6th insurrection, has made clear her commitment to preserving our democracy and holding those responsible for the attack accountable.\n\n\u201cJanuary 6th, 2021 was one of the darkest days in our nation's history with lives lost, hundreds injured, and millions impacted as extreme actors violently attacked the U.S. Capitol and our democracy. Today\u2019s Supreme Court decision is deeply concerning and undermines the sacrifices made by Capitol Police and the trauma experienced by millions of Americans. We must keep working toward full accountability to ensure nothing like January 6th ever happens again. We cannot let extremism win.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-statement-supreme-courts-emergency-abortion-decision", "Davids Statement on Supreme Court\u2019s Emergency Abortion Decision", "2024-06-27", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision in Idaho v. U.S. Davids has been clear that she supports a patient\u2019s right to make their own health care decisions without the interference of extreme politicians. Earlier this week, she called on U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to pass the Women\u2019s Health Protection Act, which would guarantee abortion access across the country.\n\n\u201cTwo years after Roe was overturned, folks across the country remain scared about what this means for their families and future generations. While today\u2019s Supreme Court decision provides a small sense of relief, it\u2019s temporary. Extreme politicians nationwide continue to do everything they can to strip away reproductive health care, even if it means putting women at risk of serious illness or death. I stand with the vast majority of Kansans in rejecting these extreme actions that have no place in influencing our most private health care decisions.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-rep-sharice-davids-local-leaders-call-increased-protections-reproductive", "ICYMI: Rep. Sharice Davids, Local Leaders Call for Increased Protections for Reproductive Freedoms", "2024-06-26", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Earlier this week, on the two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03) visited Planned Parenthood Great Plains to discuss the importance of protecting reproductive rights in Kansas. Davids called on U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Johnson to pass the Women\u2019s Health Protection Act, which would guarantee abortion access across the country. Despite Kansans\u2019 strong support of reproductive freedoms, extremists at the Kansas state level have recently doubled down on their quest to restrict reproductive health care access.\n\nDavids\u2019 efforts to protect reproductive rights for Kansans made headlines across Kansas:\n\nKansas Reflector: On Dobbs decision anniversary, Kansas abortion rights supporters look to next battle\n\n\u201cWhile states across the country moved swiftly to restrict access to abortion after the court struck down Roe v. Wade, Kansas voters opted to keep protections in place. Now, a leading abortion rights advocate says, the next fight could be over allowing patients to travel to receive abortions.\n\n\u2018That is coming,\u2019 said Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes. \u2018Legislators are not ending their attacks on abortion. They\u2019re just getting more nuanced.\u2019\n\nWales spoke Monday alongside U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Kansas Democrat, at a press conference on the anniversary of the Supreme Court\u2019s Dobbs v. Jackson decision, which struck down Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that guaranteed the right to an abortion.\n\nDavids said she has heard from constituents over and over that they fear their children and grandchildren \u2018are going to grow up with fewer rights than they did.\u2019 And despite Kansas voters\u2019 decision to keep abortion protected under the state constitution, Davids noted anti-abortion legislators continue to add restrictions and hurdles to patients seeking access.\n\n\u2018And any day now, we anticipate a decision from the Supreme Court that has the potential to once again erode or rip away health care, reproductive health care rights and, again, puts women at serious risk of not just illness but death,\u2019 Davids said.\n\nShe called it \u2018unacceptable and concerning\u2019 and said pro-abortion rights Americans were not being heard.\n\n\u2018Have we not made our voices clear?\u2019 Davids said. \u2018Have we not made our intentions and desires as citizens of this country clear? We should be expanding access to reproductive health care.\u2019\n\nWales called the anniversary of the Dobbs decision a \u2018solemn occasion,\u2019 saying Planned Parenthood patients went from being able to make their own decisions to \u2018having the government interfere directly.\u2019\n\n\u2018We are fortunate to be in a state where we do have access to abortion,\u2019 Wales said, \u2018and we are now serving so many patients from out of state. We are seeing firsthand what a public health crisis looks like in Kansas.\u2019\n\nThe Kansas Supreme Court in 2019 ruled the state constitution\u2019s right to bodily autonomy extends to the decision to terminate a pregnancy. Kansas voters then rejected a constitutional amendment to remove the right to an abortion by a 59-41 margin in August 2022, two months after the Dobbs decision.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nPlanned Parenthood is also challenging legislation passed by Kansas lawmakers \u2014 over Gov. Laura Kelly\u2019s veto \u2014 this spring that requires patients to answer a series of questions about whether they have been raped, if their partner is abusive or whether the pregnancy resulted from incest before receiving an abortion.\u201d\n\nKCTV News: Kansans share views on post-Roe world two years after Supreme Court reversal\n\n\u201cOn June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States overturned its 1973 decision on Roe v. Wade. Missouri immediately banned abortions, while Kansans rejected a ballot amendment that would have granted state lawmakers the authority to regulate abortion access in the state.\n\nTwo years after the monumental decision, U.S. Representative Sharice Davids joined leaders from Planned Parenthood Great Plains (PPGP) to share their views on the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court.\n\nThey sat together inside the Planned Parenthood on West 109th Street on Monday morning, taking a deeper dive into the abortion policies impacting Kansans, Missourians, and those living in nearby states who travel to Kansas for assistance.\n\nSome panelists shared the potential for violence they see or have already seen. Others spoke of the day-to-day rhetoric that politicians use when discussing reproductive health in statehouses and Washington D.C. They also talked about how to continue building support for their stance on reproductive health.\n\n\u2018I can\u2019t stand here and pretend that this is not unacceptable,\u2019 said Davids. \u2018I can only ask, have we not made our voices clear? Have we not made our intentions and desires as citizens of this country clear?\u2019\n\n[\u2026]\n\nPPGP President and CEO Emily Wales said Planned Parenthood locations have seen an increase in people arriving in Kansas for help, saying the state has had patients from Arkansas, Florida, and Texas, among others. She said the influx is affecting their operations, but although wait times have increased, patients are not turned away.\u201d\n\nKMBC News:\n\n\u201cNow, shortly after that Dobbs decision, Kansas voters were among the first to weigh in, voting down an amendment to remove the right to an abortion in the Kansas constitution. But challenges in the state remain.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nEven before that August 2022 vote, [\u2026] back in 2019, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled the state's constitution allowed abortions, paving the way for the current Kansas law that allows abortions up to 22 weeks right now.\n\nGreat Plains Planned Parenthood and Congresswoman Sharice Davids held a roundtable discussion today on the anniversary of that Dobbs decision. They say they are concerned that even after the vote in 2022, several state leaders and lawmakers want to find ways to restrict access to abortions.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/two-years-after-fall-roe-davids-champions-reproductive-freedoms-demands-action", "Two Years After the Fall of Roe, Davids Champions Reproductive Freedoms, Demands Action", "2024-06-24", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, two years after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Representative Sharice Davids hosted Planned Parenthood Great Plains leaders, health care providers, and other Kansans to discuss the importance of protecting reproductive rights in Kansas. During a press conference, Davids made clear that personal health care decisions should stay between a patient and their doctor \u2014 not politicians \u2014 and called on U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Johnson to pass the Women\u2019s Health Protection Act, which would guarantee abortion access across the country. A link to Davids\u2019 remarks can be found here.\n\nDespite Kansans\u2019 strong support of reproductive freedoms, extremists at the Kansas state level have recently doubled down on their quest to restrict reproductive health care access in 2024. Also, this month, the U.S. Supreme Court is considering two reproductive rights cases that could vastly impact access throughout the country. One decision was released earlier this month, and another is expected in the coming weeks.\n\n\u201cAs Kansans have made clear time and time again, a patient\u2019s health care decisions should be between them and their doctor \u2014 not politicians,\u201d said Davids. \u201cWe are facing extremist actors, including in Kansas, who will not stop attempting to insert themselves into our most private health care decisions. While they try to strip Kansans of their rights, I'll continue fighting to protect them by working to make Roe permanent.\u201d\n\n\"Since Dobbs, it has been worse than we feared: patients scrambling to access too few appointments and providers unable to offer the standard of care because of non-medical restrictions and outright bans that tie their hands,\" said Emily Wales, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes. \"Even here in Kansas, where voters overwhelmingly chose to protect abortion rights, anti-abortion politicians persist in attempts to limit care and traumatize patients. We are deeply grateful for elected officials like Rep. Sharice Davids, who listens to constituents, value expert medical providers, and understand the government has no role in interfering in the medical care of patients.\"\n\n\u201cWalking patients in and out of the health centers, I see the fear and uncertainty in their eyes. It\u2019s crucial we protect their right to make private health care decisions without interference,\u201d said Dre' McIntosh, patient ally for Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes. \u201cCould you imagine needing a volunteer to walk you up to the dentist office, or to the front door of a pharmacy, because you were afraid someone might harass you for getting your teeth cleaned or needing your prescription? I've been doing this work for a while now, and I know how essential it is to have allies like Representative Davids fighting alongside us to ensure safe and legal access to reproductive health care.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a health care provider, I see firsthand the importance of ensuring that medical decisions remain between patients and their doctors. The recent and ongoing efforts to restrict reproductive health care in Kansas are deeply concerning and pose significant risks to the well-being of our community,\" said Dr. Selina Sandoval, Associate Medical Director, Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains. \"I join Representative Davids and Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes in standing up against these dangerous policies. We must continue to prioritize the health and autonomy of our patients, and I am committed to advocating for reproductive rights and access to comprehensive health care for all Kansans.\u201d\n\nAt today\u2019s event, Planned Parenthood Great Plains leaders led Davids on a tour of their Overland Park facility. Davids then hosted a roundtable conversation with Emily Wales, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains; Dr. Selina Sandoval, Associate Medical Director of Planned Parenthood Great Plains; and Dre McIntosh, a patient ally for Planned Parenthood of Great Plains. Davids and other participants then spoke at a press conference highlighting the importance of fighting back against extreme attempts to limit access to reproductive health care.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/following-push-lawmakers-reps-davids-and-cleaver-announce-establishment-new", "Following Push From Lawmakers, Reps. Davids and Cleaver Announce Establishment of New Passport Agency in Kansas City", "2024-06-18", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "KANSAS CITY, MO \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Sharice Davids (KS-03) and Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO-05) announced that the State Department has selected Kansas City, Missouri as one of six locations for a new U.S. passport agency. Today\u2019s announcement follows Cleaver and Davids\u2019 request for Kansas City to be selected as one of the locations for a new passport agency.\n\nLast year, Davids and Cleaver supported the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act of 2024 (NDAA), which included a provision requiring the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BCA) to provide improved in-person and emergency passport services to residents living in a significant population center more than a five-hour drive from an already established passport agency. Last June, following an inundation of requests for assistance from constituents experiencing passport processing delays, Representatives Cleaver and Davids encouraged the BCA to select Kansas City as one of the locations for a new passport agency.\n\n\u201cI'm thrilled to announce that, following a request from Congressman Cleaver and me, a new passport agency is officially opening in Kansas City,\u201d said Representative Davids. \u201cOur teams have received countless inquiries from constituents, who often face long drives and unnecessary stress to get their passports. This new agency will significantly streamline the request and renewal process, making it easier and more efficient for everyone.\"\n\n\u201cThere is simply no reason that families in the Kansas City region should have to drive five hours or more to receive in-person assistance for passport services, and after a year of encouragement from Rep. Davids and I, I\u2019m thrilled that they\u2019ve heeded our calls to establish a passport agency right here in Kansas City,\u201d said Congressman Cleaver. \u201cThis has truly been a team effort, and I\u2019m thankful that constituents across the metro area will now be able to receive increased access to vital services provided by this newfound passport agency.\u201d\n\nPassport agencies and centers are responsible for processing applications received from acceptance facilities and by mail and serving customers by appointment who have urgent travel to a foreign country in the next 14 calendar days or need a foreign visa in the next 28 calendar days.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-davids-joins-velshi-discuss-new-attacks-reproductive-health-care", "ICYMI: Davids Joins \u201cVelshi\u201d to Discuss New Attacks on Reproductive Health Care Medication in Kansas After Supreme Court Decision", "2024-06-17", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "This past weekend, Representative Sharice Davids appeared on MSNBC\u2019s \u201cVelshi\u201d to discuss the Supreme Court\u2019s recent decision to preserve access to Mifepristone, a safe and effective form of medication abortion. She also expressed concern over Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach\u2019s continued legal attack on the medication, which was approved decades ago and is used in more than 60 countries to safely end a pregnancy.\n\nWATCH: Davids speaks on the Supreme Court\u2019s action to uphold reproductive health care for now and Kris Kobach\u2019s continued attack\n\nDuring the segment, Davids said, \u201cThe access has been protected for now, and seeing some of these extreme politicians and actors pushing these extreme policies is not just scary; it\u2019s dangerous. We have to make sure we\u2019re keeping our eye on the ball and not letting people like Kris Kobach, who, by the way, does not speak for the vast majority of Kansans, as we saw in August of 2022. The vast majority of Kansans do not want politicians interfering in our reproductive health care decisions.\u201d\n\nLast Thursday, the Supreme Court unanimously preserved access to a medication that was used in nearly two-thirds of all abortions in the U.S. last year. The justices ruled that abortion opponents lacked the legal right to sue over the FDA's actions to ease access to the medication, leaving open the door for future legal challenges. Immediately following this decision, Kobach and attorneys general of two other Midwestern states immediately vowed to push forward their legal challenge of mifepristone.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-cole-statements-advancement-bipartisan-bill-investigate-federal", "Davids, Cole Statements on Advancement of Bipartisan Bill to Investigate Federal Boarding School Policies", "2024-06-13", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2014 Today, Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) and Tom Cole (R-OK-04), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Native American Caucus, released the following statements after the U.S. House Committee on Education & the Workforce advanced their bipartisan bill, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2024, through markup:\n\n\"I would not be here if not for the resilience of my ancestors and those who came before me \u2014 including my grandparents, who are survivors of federal Indian Boarding Schools,\u201d said Congresswoman Sharice Davids, Member of the Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin and Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus. \u201cI am glad my colleagues came together today to advance the establishment of a Truth and Healing Commission, bringing survivors, federal partners, and Tribal leaders to the table to fully investigate what happened to our relatives and work towards a brighter path for the next seven generations.\u201d\n\n\u201cIndian boarding schools have had devastating impacts on Native communities. Yet, for so many years, the true stories about what happened to these Native children are unknown,\u201d said Congressman Tom Cole, Member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma and Co-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus. \u201cAs an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma and the longest-serving Native American in the House of Representatives, it is a priority of mine to properly represent our Indian communities in Congress. Therefore, I am committed to investigating the tragic abuses that occurred at these boarding schools and bringing light to this dark chapter in our nation\u2019s history. This Commission will hopefully bring these communities one step closer to healing and peace for themselves, their families, and future generations, and I would like to thank Chairwoman Virginia Foxx for moving this bill through the legislative process.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nEarlier this year, Davids and Cole reintroduced the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2024 \u2014 legislation to investigate, document, and report on the histories of Indian boarding schools, Indian boarding school policies, and long-term impacts on Native communities. Davids, a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin and one of the first two Native women elected to Congress, and Cole, a member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma and longest-serving Native American in the U.S. House of Representatives, are committed to investigating the abuses at these institutions, which are connected to an estimated 500 student deaths.\n\nThe bipartisan Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act of 2024 would:\n\nEstablish a formal commission to investigate, document, and acknowledge past injustices of the federal government\u2019s Indian Boarding School Policies.\n\nThis includes attempts to terminate Native cultures, religions, and languages; assimilation practices; and human rights violations.\n\nDevelop recommendations for federal entities to aid in healing the historical and intergenerational trauma passed down in Native families and communities.\n\nProvide a forum for victims to speak about personal experiences tied to these human rights violations.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-statement-supreme-courts-abortion-pill-decision", "Davids Statement on Supreme Court\u2019s Abortion Pill Decision", "2024-06-13", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court announced its decision in U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine. Mifepristone, which was originally approved for use more than 20 years ago, is a safe and effective medication used in over half of all abortions in the United States.\n\n\u201cI will always stand with Kansans who overwhelmingly rejected extremist attempts to limit reproductive health care access. Yet, for the second year in a row, a vital and safe reproductive health care medication was under attack, threatening to strip Kansans\u2019 ability to freely make health care decisions that are best for their families and futures. Thankfully, with today\u2019s Supreme Court's decision, that attack once again failed. While this is a victory for our freedoms, the fight is far from over. I remain steadfast in opposing anyone who tries to interfere in our most private health care decisions.\"\n\nBackground:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-johnson-create-bipartisan-sustainable-aviation-caucus-reduce", "Davids, Johnson Create Bipartisan Sustainable Aviation Caucus to Reduce Environmental Impact, Boost Financial Security", "2024-06-10", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD-AL) announced the creation of the Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus (CSAC). Co-chaired by Davids and Johnson, the caucus will work to reduce the aviation industry\u2019s environmental impact and maximize its financial sustainability. By accessing federal policy, holding forums, and bringing together public and private partners, the caucus will play a key role in the integration of new technologies into the nation\u2019s aviation network.\n\n\"I am proud to announce the formation of the Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus, which will bring together a wide variety of aviation leaders and policymakers to help reduce the aviation industry\u2019s impact on the environment and ensure its long-term economic viability,\u201d said Davids. \u201cAdopting these sustainable practices is critical for our national security and economic resilience. I\u2019m glad to join forces with Representative Johnson to ensure America\u2019s aviation industry continues to be resilient and reliable for years to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe aviation industry is flying towards a more sustainable future. From sustainable aviation fuel to Advanced Air Mobility to hydrogen aviation, there are a lot of shifts we can expect to see in the coming years,\u201d said Representative Dusty Johnson (SD-AL). \u201cCongress should advance legislative priorities that support innovation through biofuels, national security, and passenger safety. I look forward to working with Rep. Davids on this caucus.\u201d\n\n\u201cGAMA applauds the bipartisan leadership of Representatives Sharice Davids and Dusty Johnson for founding the Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus and we look forward to working with the caucus to highlight policies, initiatives and industry developments that will advance a more sustainable future for the entire aviation industry,\u201d said Paul Feldman, Vice President of Government Affairs, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). \u201cGeneral aviation is steadfast in our commitment to mitigate the industry\u2019s impact on the environment through technological and operational improvements as well as the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). These sustainability commitments will be furthered through strong support and partnerships with government and other stakeholders like the Congressional Sustainable Aviation Caucus.\u201d\n\nNumerous initiatives are underway to advance sustainability goals through the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and the integration of technologies that improve aircraft fuel efficiency, reduce emissions, and save money in the long run. The CSAC will provide a forum to stay informed about these initiatives and to assess the policies, processes, and resources needed to further environmental gains, enhance fuel supply resiliency, and strengthen national security.\n\nIn addition to sending periodic informational updates, the CSAC will hold frequent briefings for member offices that will cover:\n\nInsights from local, state, and federal government stakeholders, as well as industry and nonprofit stakeholders, about current efforts to form an environmentally and economically sustainable aviation future;\n\nNew developments in the sustainable aviation space, such as advancements in energy, aerospace, technology, and modal shifts;\n\nImplementation of existing technologies into domestic and international aviation;\n\nFuture challenges and opportunities that await sustainable aviation, such as fuel production, workforce, and regulatory structures.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-hosts-inaugural-world-cup-community-conversation-announces-launch", "Davids Hosts Inaugural World Cup Community Conversation, Announces Launch of Congressional World Cup Caucus", "2024-06-07", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "KANSAS CITY, KS - Today, Representative Sharice Davids hosted her first World Cup Community Conversation, bringing together dozens of local, state, regional, and federal government officials, trade professionals, and business experts. Today's conversation focused on transportation needs, and Davids will convene stakeholders for future discussions addressing small business needs, public safety, and more. The goal of this series is to ensure the Kansas City region is adequately prepared to take advantage of the economic boom brought by the 2026 World Cup, which is expected to reach around $620 million.\n\n\"People from across the KC region came together saying \u2018We want the World Cup,\u2019 and I'm thrilled we succeeded in bringing it here. But we must ensure we're prepared,\u201d said Davids. \u201cMy community conversation series aims to prepare our community for the influx of tourists, players, and others in 2026. I'm looking forward to continuing to gather folks from across the region for these important discussions, so we can meet our community\u2019s needs, seize future economic opportunities, and showcase the best of our region to the world.\"\n\n\u201cKansas City is a dynamic destination, and delivering a robust transportation plan is essential to providing a seamless experience for residents and visitors alike,\u201d says Julie Lorenz, Senior Advisor for Transportation, KC2026. \u201cI look forward to leveraging my experience in both the private and public sectors on this historic project, the largest sporting event in this region\u2019s history.\u201d\n\nIt is estimated that 6.8 million tourists visited World Cup host cities in 2018. To ensure these soccer fans, players, coaches, and workers can efficiently and safely travel between hotels, restaurants, small businesses, and stadiums, today\u2019s discussion focused solely on transportation needs of the region. Participants of the conversation included:\n\nCity of Kansas City, MO\n\nCity of Olathe, KS\n\nCity of Overland Park, KS\n\nDentsu\n\nU.S. Federal Aviation Administration\n\nGreater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce\n\nJohnson County Airport Commission\n\nJohnson County Commission\n\nJohnson County Transit\n\nKansas City Area Transportation Authority\n\nKansas City Aviation Department\n\nKansas City Chiefs\n\nKansas City, MO Police Department\n\nKansas City Royals\n\nKansas City Sports Commission\n\nKansas Department of Transportation\n\nKansas Tourism\n\nKC Streetcar Authority\n\nKC2026\n\nLeague of Kansas Municipalities\n\nMid-America Regional Council\n\nMissouri Department of Transportation\n\nMissouri Division of Tourism\n\nOffice of Congressman Sam Graves\n\nOffice of the Jackson County Executive\n\nOffice of the Mayor of Kansas City, MO\n\nU.S. Department of Transportation\n\nU.S. Federal Transit Authority\n\nUnified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City\n\n\u201cWe thank U.S. Congresswoman Sharice Davids for her leadership and continued commitment to supporting positive things in KCK,\u201d said Mayor Tyrone A. Garner, Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. \u201cAs many know, Kansas City Kansas is proud to be the home of the Sporting KC professional soccer team. As the Mayor of Kansas City Kansas, I want the world to know we are World Cup-ready as the heart of Soccer in the USA. Wyandotte County is looking forward to FIFA fans embracing the fact that the Dotte is THE spot for Soccer!\u201d\n\n\u201cToday, our KC Streetcar team is working diligently to prepare our system to serve as the backbone of our region's transportation system for KC2026 and beyond,\u201d said Tom Gerend, Executive Director, KC Streetcar Authority. \u201cOffering free public transit from Berkley Riverfront to the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus, the KC Streetcar will serve an essential role connecting visitors to fan fest sites, hotels, and Kansas City's most notable destinations. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Representative Sharice Davids for bringing our region together and supporting our collective efforts to make this event a success for all of Kansas City.\"\n\n\u201cThe 2026 World Cup will be the largest sporting event in the history of the world, and the best opportunity our region has ever had to be in the international spotlight,\u201d said Mike Kelly, Chairman, Johnson County Board of Commissioners. \u201cDiligent work is underway to make sure the tournament creates sustained, long-term impact for our community. I appreciate Congresswoman Davids bringing this group together to keep stakeholders appraised of progress.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs the regional transportation authority, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority is expected to provide leadership in planning and implementation of mobility options related to the 2026 World Cup being hosted by Kansas City,\u201d said Frank White III, President and CEO, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA). \u201cKCATA brings a great deal of event experience to the table and is in the favorable position to leverage local, regional and national resources to provide a successful transportation solution for visitors from across the planet.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-cleaver-give-joint-address-faa-staff-discuss-impact-new-reauthorization", "Davids, Cleaver Give Joint Address to FAA Staff, Discuss Impact of New Reauthorization for Aviation Workforce and Flyers", "2024-06-06", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "KANSAS CITY, MO - Today, Representatives Sharice Davids (KS-03) and Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05) visited the Federal Aviation Administration\u2019s (FAA) Central Region Headquarters to speak with FAA leadership and jointly address local aviation workers. The two Members thanked the workers for their efforts to keep Americans safe while flying and discussed the impact of the bipartisan FAA reauthorization that was signed into law last month. The package, which Davids and Cleaver both supported, strengthens domestic aviation workforce and manufacturing, improves customer protections while flying, and increases America\u2019s aviation safety standards.\n\n\u201cThe dedication and expertise of FAA employees are what keep our skies safe and our aviation system running smoothly. I was grateful for the opportunity to hear from them today, express my appreciation for their hard work, and discuss Representative Cleaver's and my efforts to pass a reauthorization that supports their vital role,\u201d said Representative Davids. \u201cLast month's bipartisan reauthorization is a significant investment in our country\u2019s aviation industry, ensuring we have the tools needed to ensure the safety of flyers, the protection of Americans' wallets, and the uninterrupted flow of goods.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica has maintained its gold standard in aviation safety and innovation for over a century because the industry is built on a strong public-private partnership. It would not be possible without robust investments from the federal government nor the invaluable work of FAA employees like those in Kansas City and all across the country,\u201d said Congressman Cleaver. \u201cThese men and women are committed to ensuring Americans\u2019 travel experience is safe and satisfactory, and we couldn\u2019t be more thankful for their service to the nation. Whether it\u2019s increasing investments to strengthen the pipeline of our aviation workforce or expanding consumer protections that alleviate unnecessary tension with innocent workers, the bipartisan FAA reauthorization is major victory for FAA employees and travelers alike.\u201d\n\nThe bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024, which passed Congress last month, will fund the FAA for the next five years and provide new guidance and standards for the agency. It included a Davids-sponsored amendment to modernize control tower-pilot communications, which will help limit safety lapses and near misses in the skies and on airport runways. Specifically, it:\n\nImproves airline customer protections and accessibility by directing the Department of Transportation (DOT) to:\n\nDevelop policies for airlines to reimburse passengers for meal and hotel costs incurred when a flight is cancelled;\n\nRequire airlines to create plans to prevent and limit the impact of mass flight cancelations;\n\nEstablish policies allowing passengers to sit next to their young child.\n\nIncreases America\u2019s aviation safety standards by:\n\nDecreasing the risk of airport near-collisions;\n\nReviewing airplane passenger emergency medical kits and evacuation procedures;\n\nRequiring the FAA to update security measures to help prevent assaults against flight crews and passengers.\n\nStrengthens U.S. aviation workforce and manufacturing by:\n\nHiring more air traffic controller agents;\n\nBoosting American manufacturing through limiting Chinese-owned companies from accessing federal dollars.\n\nDavids has prioritized consumer protections and safety throughout the FAA reauthorization process. She previously introduced an amendment to the reauthorization package to ensure transparency of airline fees for consumers throughout the ticketing process. During a committee hearing, Davids spoke with airline professionals about how the overall flying experience, including safety and transparency of hidden fees, could be improved. She also called on the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg to provide answers for last year\u2019s aviation safety notification system meltdown and to hold airlines accountable for mass cancellations.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-d-ks-molinaro-r-ny-introduce-bipartisan-package-help-working-families", "Davids (D-KS), Molinaro (R-NY) Introduce Bipartisan Package to Help Working Families Access Quality, Affordable Childcare", "2024-06-06", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), along with Representative Marcus Molinaro (R-NY-19), introduced the bipartisan Affordable Childcare Act to help hardworking families access quality and affordable childcare. The bill doubles three different tax credits, putting money directly in parents\u2019 pockets. According to a report, working parents with young children are spending 24 percent of their income on childcare, prompting urgent action to lower childcare costs.\n\n\u201cChildcare is crucial for setting children up for success, but the high costs force many families to go without it, leading parents to work fewer days or incur unnecessary debt,\" said Davids. \"Growing up with a single mom and limited resources, I understand how much of a difference extra budget flexibility can make. I\u2019m proud to join Representative Molinaro in introducing this bipartisan bill to ensure hardworking families in Kansas and across the country can more easily afford childcare.\u201d\n\n\u201cGrowing up, my family struggled to make ends meet. So, I understand the difficult choices working families have to make to access quality childcare when costs keep rising,\u201d said Representative Marcus Molinaro (R-NY-19). \u201cThat\u2019s why I introduced this bipartisan bill to put more money in the pockets of working families and help them afford the childcare services they deserve.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, this bill would:\n\nDouble the Child and Dependent Care Credit, which helps families offset the cost of childcare and dependent care expenses, allowing them to claim a percentage of these expenses on their federal income tax return.\n\nThe Affordable Childcare Actdoubles the Credit to $6,000 for one dependent and $12,000 for two or more, helping working families afford childcare as costs rise.\n\nDouble the Employer-Provided Childcare Credit, which allows businesses to claim a credit for providing childcare facilities or services to their employees, encouraging employers to support their workers' childcare needs.\n\nThe Affordable Childcare Actdoublesthe Credit to $300,000 per year, covering 25 percent of qualified childcare facility expenses and 10 percent of childcare resource and referral expenses, to encourage businesses to invest more in childcare.\n\nDouble the amount a person can contribute to a dependent care flexible spending account, which is an employer-sponsored benefit that allows employees to set aside pre-tax money to cover eligible dependent care expenses.\n\nThe Affordable Childcare Act doubles the account contribution limit to $10,000, enabling parents to save and utilize more pre-tax dollars for qualifying caregiving expenses.\n\nDavids has worked diligently to bring down childcare costs and improve childcare access in Kansas. This year, she voted to support legislation that would expand the Child Tax Credit, direct payments to parents benefiting 136,000 children in Kansas. She also toured a local childcare facility to highlight how federal investments have supported the workforce and daily operations of local childcare small businesses. Finally, she has visited and announced federal resources for multiple Head Start programs in Kansas\u2019 Third District, including Kansas City Kansas Public School's Successful Beginnings, The Family Conservancy, the University of Kansas Medical Center's Project Eagle, and Growing Futures Early Education Center.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-guest-column-davids-highlights-century-native-american-citizenship", "ICYMI: In Guest Column, Davids Highlights a Century of Native American Citizenship", "2024-06-03", "2024", "2024-06", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Yesterday, on the 100-year anniversary of the Indian Citizenship Act, Representative Sharice Davids penned a guest column for ICT News, highlighting the strides our country has made in the last 100 years towards tribal sovereignty. She also advocated for greater federal support for Native communities. Davids, who serves as co-chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus, continues to work diligently to uphold the federal government\u2019s trust and treaty obligations to tribes. Enacted in 1924, the Indian Citizenship Act granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the U.S.\n\nRead Davids\u2019 column in ICT News:\n\n\u201cToday marks 100 years since President Calvin Coolidge signed the Indian Citizenship Act into law, ensuring all Native Americans are counted as United States citizens. Before this, my ancestors were treated as foreigners in their own land without a voice in the country's most important systems. The act\u2019s passage kicked off a journey for Native American freedom and self-determination that continues to this day.\n\nGeneration after generation, Native Americans have worked to ensure our communities receive the full set of rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship while protecting the treaty rights that guarantee tribal sovereignty.\n\nRuth Muskrat, a Native college student who advised President Coolidge on Native American matters, summarized this duality in a 1923 speech: \u2018We want to become citizens of the United States and to share in the building of this great nation that we love. But we want also to preserve the best that is in our own civilization.\u2019\n\nThe opportunities I have been given, as a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin, speak to the progress we have made toward these goals. I am the daughter of a single mother who served in the U.S. Army for 20 years. I worked my way through community college and public university to become the first in my family to earn a college degree, and later a law degree from Cornell University.\n\nThen, in 2019, alongside now-Secretary Deb Haaland, I became one of the first two Native women sworn into the United States Congress. I didn\u2019t run for office to be the first of anything, but it has been an honor to challenge the norms for who our leaders can be and enable others to see a path they hadn't noticed before.\n\nThroughout my career, there have been many times when I was the \u2018only\u2019 in the room. That experience is all too common among Native people and so many others. However, we have made significant progress over the past 100 years in ensuring these voices are better represented. I\u2019m working in Congress on various issues to ensure we continue moving forward, not backward.\n\nWhile the act was a monumental leap in tribal sovereignty, it didn't prevent states from enacting laws that deprived Native communities of their right to vote. While Congress passed the Voting Rights Act in 1965, outlawing racial discrimination in voting laws, Native voters still today face many obstacles on election day. To help fix this issue, I have introduced the Native American Voting Rights Act in Congress, ensuring Native voices are fairly heard at the ballot box.\n\nAlso, nearly every Native person has been impacted by the federal Indian boarding school era \u2014 me included. My grandparents are survivors. Although these histories can be painful, the federal government and our country should acknowledge its impact and listen to Native leaders who seek healing for generations of families affected. That\u2019s why Oklahoma Rep. Tom Cole, Republican and Chickasaw, my fellow co-chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus, and I proposed the creation of a Truth and Healing Commission to investigate and document these policies and address intergenerational trauma.\n\nThese examples underscore the critical importance of diverse perspectives in decision-making roles, enabling us to better understand and address the unique challenges faced by various communities. Whether it\u2019s returning our ancestors to their rightful homes, putting names to the children we lost, or shining a light on the continuing crisis of our missing and murdered Indigenous relatives \u2014 representation remains the key to solving these problems. It started 100 years ago with the Indian Citizenship Act.\n\nRepresentation is how we ensure that tribal communities are not left behind in major policy achievements from infrastructure to health care to education.\n\nIt is how we bring attention to the disproportionate numbers of Native women who experience maternal mortality and complications in pregnancy, and direct resources towards saving those lives.\n\nIt is how we\u2019ve gained recognition of Indigenous Peoples\u2019 Day to change the way this nation thinks about our history and our modern-day culture.\n\nIt is how we remind people that Native communities are resilient, we are diverse, and we are still here.\n\nIn 1915, Dr. Carlos Montezuma delivered a speech in Lawrence, Kansas \u2014 just outside the district I represent \u2014 to the Society of American Indians. He critiqued the federal government\u2019s handling of tribal relationships and encouraged solidarity among Native communities, saying, \u2018we must act as one.\u2019\n\nI respect his immense passion for advancing our people and his acknowledgment that the federal government still has much to do to uphold its responsibilities to tribes. Though he passed away just one year before the act was enacted, I also hope he would be proud \u2014 just like I am \u2014 of the strides we have made.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:11:47Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-cleaver-announce-159-million-regional-law-enforcement-address-fentanyl", "Davids, Cleaver Announce $15.9 Million for Regional Law Enforcement to Address Fentanyl Epidemic, Crack Down on Illicit Drug Trafficking", "2024-05-31", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representatives Sharice Davids (KS-03) and Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05) announced the Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program will receive $15.9 million to help seize illicit drugs like fentanyl, reduce violent crime associated with drug trafficking, and improve data collection \u2014 all to keep Kansans safe. Davids has collaborated with Midwest HIDTA, a regional office working to reduce illicit drug availability, on multiple fentanyl summits with health care workers, education professionals, and law enforcement officers.\n\n\u201cIn our state and around the country, the fentanyl crisis has become a public health emergency. That\u2019s why I\u2019m grateful for these resources to help Midwest HIDTA get these illicit drugs off our streets and keep Kansans safe and healthy,\u201d said Davids. \u201cI am committed to working with Republicans and Democrats \u2014 and everyone at the local, state, and federal level \u2014 to fight this crisis head-on, because one death is one too many. With increased collaboration from all corners of our community, we can help save lives.\u201d\n\n\u201cDeadly drugs like fentanyl do not care about your background, race, or political affiliation; they impact nearly every family and devastate communities across the nation, and it\u2019s going to take all of us, working together, to crack down on illicit drug traffickers and save lives,\u201d said Congressman Emanuel Cleaver. \u201cWhile it\u2019s encouraging that overdose deaths decreased for the first time in five years in 2023, there is much more that must be done to keep our communities safe. Today\u2019s announcement of nearly $16 million for the Midwest HIDTA Program is just the latest demonstration of President Biden\u2019s commitment to providing local and federal law enforcement with the resources needed to do their jobs effectively, and I will continue to support these public safety initiatives by pushing for additional investments in Congress.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe funding will certainly impact the Midwest and its communities,\u201d said Dan Neill, Director, Midwest High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area. \u201cThe funding will enhance the investigative efforts of state, local, and federal law enforcement in combatting drug trafficking, violence, and the fentanyl crisis.\u201d\n\nDavids, a member of the bipartisan Fentanyl Prevention Caucus, has been a vocal advocate around fentanyl and opioid death prevention. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine and is increasingly found in fake prescription pills such as Vicodin, OxyContin, or hydrocodone. Davids met with Libby Davis, a Johnson County resident, whose son passed away after taking a counterfeit pill that was unknowingly laced with fentanyl. Following their meeting, Davids co-sponsored and helped pass legislation through the House that creates a public awareness campaign about synthetic opioids through the Department of Health and Human Services.\n\nDavids has taken several legislative actions based on the specific needs of the Kansas Third District, including:\n\nJoining a bipartisan group of lawmakers to request funding for new handheld mass spectrometry trace level chemical detection devices at domestic ports.\n\nUrging the FDA to take up expert recommendations and make Narcan, a common naloxone nasal spray, available without a prescription\u2014which they did earlier this year.\n\nHosting a Facebook Live conversation with Blue Valley School District and Johnson County Mental Health Center about opioid use in schools.\n\nVoting to permanently place all fentanyl-related substances into a schedule I class, labeling the drug with a high potential for abuse and no currently accepted medical value.\n\nPushing for expanded federal grant opportunities, so law enforcement and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) can easily acquire life-saving Naloxone kits.\n\nVisiting the Port of Long Beach to see how the port uses state-of-the-art technologies to prevent harmful substances \u2014 like fentanyl \u2014 from entering the country illegally.\n\nCommunity members looking to learn more about how to keep their families safe can visit the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration\u2019s Kansas City-focused website. Resources and prevention services for individuals, families, schools, and others are available.\n\nBackground:\n\nThe federal investments announced today were part of a total of $276 million for 33 HIDTA regions located in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia. HIDTA programs collaborate with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to assess the drug threats in their communities and develop strategies to advance public health and public safety. Midwest HIDTA covers counties in Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-announces-13-local-students-receive-us-service-academy-appointments", "Davids Announces 13 Local Students Receive U.S. Service Academy Appointments", "2024-05-30", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced that 13 students from the Kansas Third District have successfully received their appointments to a U.S. Service Academy. In a send-off event in Overland Park yesterday, Davids presented each student with a certificate acknowledging their incredible achievement, andRyan Rast, a Davids-nominated student and recent graduate of West Point, shared his advice as these students take the next step in their service.\n\n\u201cAs Representative for Kansas\u2019 Third District, I\u2019m incredibly honored to nominate our future leaders to our nation\u2019s prestigious military service academies,\u201d said Davids. \u201cI\u2019m the daughter of an Army veteran, so I\u2019ve seen what it takes to serve our country. The individuals we are celebrating have my full support, and I am excited to hear more about their accomplishments in the coming years.\u201d\n\n\u201cHaving the honor and privilege to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point for the last four years has been an extraordinary opportunity that has instilled a strong sense of purpose, character, and leadership that I will take with me in my future endeavors,\u201d said Ryan Rast, Davids-nominated student and recent graduate of West Point. \u201cIf I could impart advice to future cadets, it would be not to be deterred by failure, to take time to enjoy the small things along your journey, and never settle for anything. I strongly believe that the opportunities and challenges I faced at West Point have helped me become the soldier, leader, and man I am today and that the friendships and memories created at West Point will last forever.\u201d\n\n\"Every year, the candidates never fail to impress me,\u201d said Mike Souder, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired). \u201cI come away from the process a bit in awe of the maturity of these high school seniors and how much they have already accomplished. Our district should be very proud that some of our best and brightest chose to attend a service academy and serve their country as future military leaders.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt was an honor to spend some time with the families and selectees for the service academies,\u201d said Steve Wallace, Lieutenant Colonel, Infantry, U.S. Army (Retired). \u201cI am confident that they will represent Kansas and their communities well as they begin the process of becoming officers in our armed forces\u201d\n\nLast year, Davids nominated 32 students for an appointment based on the recommendations of her Academy Panelist Board. The panelists conducted personal interviews with each applicant, in addition to reviewing written applications, letters of recommendation, and G.P.A. This year\u2019s nonpartisan board included:\n\nMike Souder, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired)\n\nSteve Wallace, Lieutenant Colonel, Infantry, U.S. Army (Retired)\n\nAnjail Belton, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy (Retired)\n\nAfter receiving a nomination from Rep. Davids, these 13 applicants successfully met the individual admission requirements for their respective academies, which made the final decision on an appointment of admission. Photos of the students from the Kansas Third District who received appointments can be found HERE. They include:\n\nUnited States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO\n\nJohn \u201cJack\u201d Hamilton \u2014 Overland Park, Kansas City Christian School\n\nRobert Hickman \u2014 Shawnee, Mill Valley High School\n\nColleen McAlister \u2014 Prairie Village, Shawnee Mission East High School\n\nNicholas \"Nick\" Westerhaus \u2014 Overland Park, Blue Valley Northwest High School\n\nUnited States Military Academy at West Point, NY\n\nMax Doerfler \u2014 Overland Park, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School\n\nJacob Drone \u2014 Overland Park, Bishop Miege High School\n\nRaj Fanaswala \u2014 Overland Park, Barstow High School\n\nTatum Grimes \u2014 Olathe, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School\n\nJack Kessler \u2014 Fairway, Shawnee Mission East High School\n\nAndrew Morris \u2014 Overland Park, Shawnee Mission South High School\n\nSarah Yan \u2014 Overland Park, Blue Valley West High School\n\nUnited States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-discusses-impact-her-secured-funding-improve-kansans-mental-health", "Davids Discusses Impact of Her Secured Funding to Improve Kansans\u2019 Mental Health, Support Law Enforcement", "2024-05-29", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "KANSAS CITY, KS - Today, Representative Sharice Davids hosted a conversation with Wyandotte County law enforcement officers, public health experts, and city officials to discuss the impact of her federal funding to improve individuals\u2019 mental health and support law enforcement. The Davids-secured $750,000 is helping the Wyandotte County Public Health Department (WyCo PHD) hire co-responders, trained mental health professionals who work alongside police officers to respond to incidents involving individuals experiencing mental health crises.\n\n\u201cMental health is a growing concern for families and communities across the country, so I\u2019m thankful to have worked with the Wyandotte County Public Health Department to support folks\u2019 mental well-being throughout the county,\u201d said Davids. \u201cTheir co-responder pilot program has been incredibly successful, both helping people in crisis and ensuring law enforcement can adequately protect our communities. I was glad to learn more about these achievements and look forward to the continued impact.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe work done by co-responders is tremendously valuable to the community because we are able to respond to acute emergencies where people are in need and in crisis,\u201d said Philip Mathis, CIT Officer,Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD). \u201cOur team is able to meet people where they\u2019re at and provide community connection with the hopes that its long lasting and that they\u2019re able to get the services they need to better their health and lives.\u201d\n\n\"Many people in Wyandotte County face barriers to accessing behavioral health care due to high uninsurance rates and a mental health provider ratio of 1 for every 560 residents,\u201d said Hannah Conner, Social Epidemiologist, Wyandotte County Public Health Department. \u201cThe Congressional funding secured by Representative Davids provides an opportunity to connect our most vulnerable community members to much-needed behavioral health support. We are happy to see so many amazing partners involved in this life-changing initiative and eager to see this project progress over the next several months.\"\n\n\u201cI would like to thank Representative Davids for her continued support to this community,\u201d said Karl A. Oakman, Chief of Police, Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD). \u201cThis funding will assist the KCKPD with an additional tool to continue our three-year decline in violent crime and build stronger community partnerships that focus on mental health.\u201d\n\nThanks to Davids\u2019 funding request, WyCo PHD has expanded the Wyandot Behavioral Health Network\u2019s Integrating Mental and Behavioral Health Resources pilot program. The program provides a comprehensive response to the high rates of mental illness seen in Wyandotte community members involved in the justice system. Specifically, the funding has allowed them to hire or maintain staffing of co-responders in police and sheriff departments, mental health outreach staff, and court liaisons who ensure that youth are referred to mental health services as an alternative to time in jail when appropriate.\n\nThe WyCo PHD project was one of 14 Davids-requested projects that passed Congress in 2022, totaling $31.2 million for Kansas\u2019 Third District. This year, Davids announced she secured $15.8 million for 15 impactful projects in the district. Each of the projects were submitted in tandem with local officials and selected for their potential to improve health and safety in the community, bring economic opportunity to the Third District, and tackle climate change.\n\nDavids has focused on improving mental health care since taking office. She has helped secure funding for mental health programs in Wyandotte and Johnson Counties, and has advocated for stronger mental health supports in schools. Her legislation to renew federal mental health grant programs for health centers, schools, and law enforcement passed the House last year. She also introduced bipartisan legislation to improve opioid misuse prevention among student athletes and additional legislation to improve mental health supports for at-risk LGBTQ+ youth.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-statement-farm-bill-were-almost-there-todays-bill-cant-pass-congress", "Davids Statement on Farm Bill: \u201cWe\u2019re Almost There, But Today\u2019s Bill Can\u2019t Pass Congress\u201d", "2024-05-24", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Yesterday, during the U.S. House Agriculture Committee's mark-up of a Republican-drafted Farm Bill reauthorization, Representative Sharice Davids commended several initiatives aimed at strengthening Kansas' agricultural economy, but voted against the bill as it pits farmers against families and has no realistic pathway to becoming law. As she did last week, Davids emphasized the importance of returning to the bipartisan negotiations that have historically shaped the Farm Bill, rather than advancing an unpassable bill that offers farmers false hope.\n\n\u201cKansas farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our nation, providing food and resources to people at home and around the world. While today\u2019s bill includes many great provisions to support those producers, such as strengthening crop insurance and improving agricultural research, it provides false hope to our farmers and would push Kansas families, children, and seniors into hunger,\u201d said Davids. \u201cTo truly support Kansas\u2019 agricultural economy, we must put Kansans first, stop playing political games, and promote a broadly bipartisan Farm Bill that can realistically make it across the finish line. There are many provisions in this bill we all agree on, which is why I remain optimistic. I am committed to upholding the Kansas tradition of bipartisan agricultural policy, following the example of former Senators Pat Roberts and Bob Dole, to craft a Farm Bill that enables Kansas farmers and families, from Garnett to Goodland, to thrive.\u201d\n\nWATCH: During yesterday\u2019s mark-up, Davids shares her thoughts on the Farm Bill reauthorization\n\nImage\n\nEarlier this year, Davids hosted former U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, Chair of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees, and other policymakers to discuss the successes and challenges of Kansas\u2019 farmers and producers. Roberts made clear the need to put politics aside and agree on a compromise to support farmers, ranchers, and producers.\n\nWhile Davids acknowledged that today\u2019s Farm Bill has no realistic path forward, she endorsed many policy provisions as a victory for Kansas farmers, ranchers, and producers. Certain priorities, which Davids outlined in a letter to U.S. House Agriculture Committee leadership last year, were included in the text. This included protections and updates to crop insurance programs that provide backstops to farmers amid unexpected events, support for research funding to improve the resilience of our country\u2019s agriculture sector, support for land-grant institutions that foster agriculture innovation, and investments to construct and maintain agriculture research facilities. She will continue working with her colleagues from both parties on a bipartisan bill containing these provisions that can pass both Chambers and be signed into law.\n\nDavids\u2019 concern with today's bill, along with its inability to become law, and certain provisions that roll-back climate-smart initiatives that enable farmers to remain resilient and profitable, is the reduction in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This marks the most substantial cut to the program in nearly three decades. In Kansas\u2019 Third District, 10,879 households rely on this vital food assistance program to ensure nutritious meals for their families. The proposed legislation would strip $130 million from Kansas\u2019 SNAP budget, pushing more families with children, seniors, and disabled individuals into hunger.\n\nTo ensure the Farm Bill works for Kansas producers, during yesterday\u2019s mark-up, U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson agreed to collaborate with Davids on two key provisions that Kansas agriculture professionals have highlighted. First, they will work together to improve the Farm Service Agency (FSA), which plays a crucial role in supporting the agricultural sector by administering farm commodity, credit, conservation, disaster, and loan programs. Second, they will ensure Kansas wheat growers can both protect their soil from erosion and sell their crops for profit.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/watch-davids-urges-cooperation-bipartisan-realistic-farm-bill-can-become-law", "WATCH: Davids Urges Cooperation on Bipartisan, Realistic Farm Bill that Can Become Law", "2024-05-16", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids reiterated her commitment to passing a Farm Bill that is bipartisan and has a realistic chance of becoming law. The Farm Bill, which includes provisions expiring on September 30, is a package of legislation reauthorized about every five years that includes several critically important agriculture, conservation, nutrition, and trade programs. Davids is a member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, which is expected to consider a Republican-proposed Farm Bill draft next week.\n\n\u201cTraditionally, the reauthorization process for this bill has been broadly bipartisan ... I'm committed to keeping it that way,\u201d said Davids. \u201cWhile these negotiations can be complex \u2014 and we may not see eye-to-eye on every issue \u2014 it's essential that we come together to craft a compromise that can make it across the finish line. We cannot let politics stand in the way of our farmers' access to vital resources that support their businesses, employees, and families.\u201d\n\nWATCH: Davids urges cooperation on bipartisan, realistic Farm Bill that can become law\n\nEarlier this year, Davids hosted U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, former U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam, and other policymakers to discuss the successes and challenges of Kansas\u2019 farmers and producers. The group toured a family-owned and operated farm in Edgerton and held a roundtable discussion on the state of Kansas agriculture. Throughout the day, the need to overcome partisan gridlock and pass a bipartisan Farm Bill reauthorization was consistently highlighted.\n\nWATCH: During Davids\u2019 press conference, former U.S. Senator Pat Roberts discusses putting politics aside in Farm Bill negotiations", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:12:30Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-helps-pass-bipartisan-faa-reauthorization-improve-consumer-protections", "Davids Helps Pass Bipartisan FAA Reauthorization to Improve Consumer Protections, Safety for Air Travelers", "2024-05-15", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids voted for a bipartisan, bicameral compromise to improve customer protections and accessibility while flying, increase America\u2019s aviation safety standards, and strengthen domestic aviation workforce and manufacturing. Today\u2019s bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) included a Davids-sponsored amendment to modernize control tower-pilot communications, which will help limit safety lapses and near misses in the skies and on airport runways.\n\n\u201cOur economy depends on the reliable air travel of people and goods to keep our communities moving and maintain a strong domestic supply chain,\u201d said Davids. \u201cWith today\u2019s bipartisan reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration, Congress came together so that folks are protected financially, feel safe while flying, and have access to good-paying aviation manufacturing jobs. Bipartisan legislating is far more common than we see on the nightly news, and I\u2019ll continue prioritizing this approach because it\u2019s the surest way to deliver tangible, lasting results for Kansans.\u201d\n\nThe bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2024, which Davids voted for today,will fund the FAA for the next five years and provide new guidance and standards for the agency. Specifically, it:\n\nImproves airline customer protections and accessibility by directing the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to:\n\nDeveloping policies for airlines to reimburse passengers for meal and hotel costs incurred when a flight is cancelled;\n\nRequiring airlines to create plans to prevent and limit the impact of mass flight cancelations;\n\nEstablishing policies allowing passengers to sit next to their young child.\n\nIncreases America\u2019s aviation safety standards by:\n\nDecreasing the risk of airport near-collisions;\n\nReviewing airplane passenger emergency medical kits and evacuation procedures;\n\nRequiring the FAA to update security measures to help prevent assaults against flight crews and passengers.\n\nStrengthens U.S. aviation workforce and manufacturing by:\n\nHiring more air traffic controller agents;\n\nBoosting American manufacturing through limiting Chinese-owned companies from accessing federal dollars.\n\nDavids has prioritized consumer protections and safety throughout the FAA reauthorization process. She previously introduced an amendment to the reauthorization package to ensure transparency of airline fees for consumers throughout the ticketing process. During a committee hearing, Davids spoke with airline professionals about how the overall flying experience, including safety and transparency of hidden fees, could be improved. She also called on the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg to provide answers for last year\u2019s aviation safety notification system meltdown and to hold airlines accountable for mass cancellations.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-davids-secures-major-federal-investment-replace-lead-pipes-ensure-clean", "ICYMI: Davids Secures Major Federal Investment to Replace Lead Pipes, Ensure Clean Water for Kansas", "2024-05-14", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced Kansas would receive $28.65 million from the bipartisan infrastructure law to help identify and replace lead service lines, preventing exposure to lead in drinking water. Davids was the only member of Kansas\u2019 congressional delegation to vote for the bipartisan infrastructure law, which has now allocated nearly $87 million for lead pipe replacement projects across Kansas.\n\nLead exposure can cause severe illness, primarily in babies and infants, and there are an estimated 160,000 lead water lines in Kansas \u2013 the third-highest per capita nationwide. Read more about Kansas\u2019 clean water needs and how Davids is working to address them in her \"State of our Systems: Water\" report.\n\nDavids\u2019 efforts to secure clean water for Kansans made headlines across Kansas:\n\nKansas Reflector: Federal law delivers $28.6 million to Kansas for replacing lead pipes for drinking water\n\n\u201cThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set aside $28.6 million from the bipartisan federal infrastructure law to replace a portion of the estimated 160,000 lead water lines in Kansas capable of causing severe illness, especially among young children.\n\nLead service lines bringing water into residences from main lines under the street have been identified as a contributor to poisoning of humans. Lead exposure disproportionately harms communities of color and low-income families.\n\n\u2018From the water in our taps to the rain in our gutters, water infrastructure touches many parts of our lives,\u2019 said U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kansas. \u2018People don\u2019t always realize how important those systems are until they fail, but it\u2019s our responsibility to ensure they never get to that point.\u2019\n\n[\u2026]\n\nThe Natural Resources Defense Council reported in 2021 that Kansas had the third-highest number of lead pipes per 100,000 residents among the 50 states.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention maintains there was no safe level of lead exposure for children. Low levels of exposure to the potent neurotoxin in children has been linked to brain and nervous system damage and contributed to learning disabilities, harm to blood cells and impaired hearing. In adults, lead contributed to cardiovascular disease, kidney damage and reproductive complications.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nThe EPA funding earmarked for Kansas was drawn from the 2021 federal infrastructure law passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden. It was opposed by the five GOP members of the Kansas congressional delegation.\u201d\n\nKCTV: $28 million headed to Kansas for lead pipe replacement for clean water\n\n\u201cThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on Thursday, May 2, that $28.6 million from the Investing in America Agenda has been earmarked to help Kansas find and replace lead service lines. The move will prevent exposure to lead in drinking water which can cause a range of serious health impacts.\n\n[\u2026]\n\n\u2018The science is clear, there is no safe level of lead exposure, and the primary source of harmful exposure in drinking water is through lead pipes,\u2019 said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. \u2018President Biden understands it is critical to identify and remove lead pipes as quickly as possible, and he has secured significant resources for states and territories to accelerate the permanent removal of dangerous lead pipes once and for all.\u2019\n\n[\u2026]\n\nThe EPA has projected that a national total of 9 million lead service lines across the nation, based on data collected from the updated 7th Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey and Assessment. Thursday\u2019s funds will be provided specifically for lead service line identification and replacement.\n\n\u2018From the water in our taps to the rain in our gutters, water infrastructure touches many parts of our lives,\u2019 said U.S. Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03). \u2018People don\u2019t always realize how important those systems are until they fail \u2013 but it\u2019s our responsibility to ensure they never get to that point. I am glad to welcome investments from the bipartisan infrastructure bill to help deliver cleaner drinking water, safer stormwater systems, and better wastewater management to our communities.\u2019\u201d\n\nKWCH: Kansas receives $28M to replace thousands of lead pipes\n\n\u201cKansas received $28.65 million to replace lead pipes. The money comes from the Biden Administration\u2019s Investing in America Agenda, which includes his goal of replacing every lead pipe in the country.\n\n\u2018From the water in our taps to the rain in our gutters, water infrastructure touches many parts of our lives,\u2019 said U.S. Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03). \u2018People don\u2019t always realize how important those systems are until they fail \u2013 but it\u2019s our responsibility to ensure they never get to that point. I am glad to welcome investments from the bipartisan infrastructure bill to help deliver cleaner drinking water, safer stormwater systems, and better wastewater management to our communities.\u2019\n\nPresident Biden\u2019s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law used $15 billion to find and replace lead pipes across the United States. That law mandates that 49% of the fund be given to disadvantaged communities as grants and forgivable loans.\n\n[\u2026]", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/after-record-submissions-davids-announces-winners-2024-congressional-art", "After Record Submissions, Davids Announces Winners of 2024 Congressional Art Competition", "2024-05-13", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "This weekend, Representative Sharice Davids hosted a reception honoring the student applicants who participated in her 2024 Congressional Art Competition. This year, Davids\u2019 office received a record-breaking 35 student submissions, doubling the number from previous years.\n\nAt the event, Davids announced the winners:\n\nFirst Place: Siena Masilionis, a student at Blue Valley North High School, for \u201cA Dream Realized.\u201d\n\nThe piece will hang in the U.S. Capitol for one year.\n\nSecond Place: Samantha Woods, a student at Blue Valley West High School, for \u201cGrowing Apart.\u201d\n\nThe piece will hang in Davids\u2019 Overland Park district office for one year.\n\n\"I am incredibly proud of all the talented students who participated in our congressional art competition this year,\u201d said Davids. \u201cCongratulations to this year\u2019s winners, Siena Masilionis and Samantha Woods, for their impressive and moving pieces. The creativity and dedication of all 35 young artists showcase the bright future of our community.\"\n\nImage\n\nSiena Masilionis\u2019 \u201cA Dream Realized\u201d \u2013 The drawing depicts a triumphant moment for Jack, a junior swimmer at Blue Valley North High School. Jack, who is Masilionis\u2019 best friend, achieved his first-ever state qualifying cut by surpassing his personal best meet time. The artwork captures Jack celebrating his achievement by clasping his parents' hands in joy.\n\n\u201cWhen I was a little kid, I went to the Capitol and saw the hallway with all of the artwork and said \u2018I want to be there,\u2019\u201d said Siena Masilionis, 2024 Congressional Art Competition winner. \u201cMy parents remembered how excited I was about this competition at eight years old, so it\u2019s so cool to win because it all came full circle.\u201d\n\nImage\n\nSamantha Woods\u2019 \u201cGrowing Apart\u201d \u2013 The acrylic painting portrays Woods and her brother, Tyler, engaged in childhood bickering. This sibling rivalry, which eventually evolved into a strong bond, was tragically disrupted by Tyler's passing at the age of 17. Woods reflects on the cherished memories of their time together, the profound grief caused by his untimely death, and her evolving perspective on life.\n\n\u201cMy piece is definitely something I hold close to my heart. It\u2019s hard for me to open that up to people, so showing that to the world is very important to me,\u201d said Samantha Woods,2024 Congressional Art Competition runner-up. \u201cWhen I heard my name, it felt good to be recognized for my love for my brother and my creativity. I know that along the way, my pieces may not touch on my grief but rather my future, but I\u2019ll still hold the identity of my brother with me.\u201d\n\nThe Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their constituents. Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have been involved in the nationwide competition.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/kansans-join-davids-urge-final-passage-faa-reauthorization-improve-consumer", "Kansans Join Davids to Urge Final Passage of FAA Reauthorization to Improve Consumer Protections, Safety for Air Travelers", "2024-05-10", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today,Representative Sharice Davids and other Kansans urged bipartisan congressional action on a final Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization that improves customer protections while flying, increases America\u2019s aviation safety standards, and strengthens domestic aviation workforce and manufacturing. Davids voted to pass an overwhelmingly bipartisan FAA reauthorization last July, but the bill has since stalled, causing Congress to pass yet another extension earlier this week. Without action on a final bill before May 17, 2024, the FAA risks losing $54 million per day.\n\n\u201cOur economy depends on reliable air travel for people and goods to keep our communities moving and maintain a strong domestic supply chain.\u201d said Davids. \u201cCongress has delayed the FAA reauthorization, which is critical to air travel, for too long. We must get this bill across the finish line so that Kansans are protected financially, feel safe while flying, and have access to good-paying aviation manufacturing jobs. There\u2019s no time to waste in averting the staffing shortages and supply chain backlogs that come with further delay.\u201d\n\nThe bill would improve airline customer protections by directing the U.S. Department of Transportation to develop policies for airlines to reimburse passengers for meal and hotel costs incurred when a flight is cancelled, require airlines to create plans to prevent and limit the impact of mass flight cancelations, and establish policies allowing passengers to sit next to their young child.\n\n\"I've had my fair share of unfortunate experiences with airlines, including falsely advertised flights that forced me to find my own hotel accommodations without help or explanation from the airline, and waiting on the runway without air conditioning, toilets, or water,\u201d said Nancy Wagner, Overland Park resident. \u201cThese all-too-common experiences show the need for strong consumer protections while flying, which is why Congress must pass the FAA reauthorization quickly. These protections are crucial, so let's make sure this reauthorization happens!\"\n\n\u201cFor too long, airlines have taken advantage of people's willingness to pay whatever it costs to travel,\u201d said Nancy Empson, Olathe resident. \u201cWhen refunds are hard to get and no other accommodations are made for passengers, it doesn\u2019t seem fair. Consumers need the protections provided in the FAA reauthorization bill in order to be sure the airlines do what they should for passengers.\u201d\n\nThe bill would increase America\u2019s aviation safety standards by decreasing the risk of airport near-collisions, reviewing airplane passenger emergency medical kits and evacuation procedures, and requiring the FAA to update security measures to help prevent assaults against flight crews and passengers.\n\n\u201cI support the FAA reauthorization bill because it will have a positive impact on the safety of both commercial and general aviation,\u201d said Ethan LeGrand, Overland Park resident. \u201cThe reauthorization will ensure that our airspace is properly staffed and technology is up to date so that commercial and GA flights continue to operate in a safe manner.\"\n\n\u201cAs a Kansas-based technology firm specializing in aviation, the safe operation of our national airspace is foundational to our work and to that of many local businesses,\u201d said Christian Stallings, Lenexa resident. \u201cOur innovations in unmanned aerial systems, crucial for tasks such as infrastructure inspection and surveying, depend entirely on a reliably safe airspace. It is imperative that the FAA Reauthorization Act passes to maintain this safety and to prepare our skies for advanced technologies. Failing to do so not only jeopardizes our operations but also undermines the aviation excellence that America is known for.\u201d\n\nThe bill would strengthen U.S. aviation workforce and manufacturing by hiring more air traffic controller agents to combat the current shortage and boosting American manufacturing through limiting Chinese-owned companies from accessing federal dollars.\n\n\"The FAA operating without reauthorization would severely impact air traffic controllers and their families, including mine,\u201d said Stephanie Dunn, Olathe resident. \u201cWith my husband as the sole provider and working long hours due to staffing shortages, it would strain our finances and add to the stress of caring for our children who have medical needs. Adequate staffing is crucial for safe air travel, and prolonged activity without reauthorization would only worsen an already challenging situation for controllers and their families.\"\n\nTo highlight the urgency of passing an FAA reauthorization bill, Davids previously toured New Century AirCenter\u2019s 81-year-old air traffic control center, which Johnson County officials have prioritized for upgrade due to structural and safety deficiencies. If the FAA authorization was to expire, airports like New Century AirCenter would suffer due to the loss of air traffic controllers and increased safety concerns.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-announces-federal-grant-improve-health-care-access-kansas-third", "Davids Announces Federal Grant to Improve Health Care Access in Kansas\u2019 Third District", "2024-05-07", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $1.3 million to Health Partnership Clinic to help expand access to health care in the Greater Kansas City Area. Health Partnership Clinic, whose team provides high quality health care to low-income individuals in Kansas\u2019 Third District, will use the funding for operational expenses that include staff salaries and translation services.\n\n\u201cEveryone should have access to quality and affordable health care, but many Kansans struggle to access the care they need due to skyrocketing costs. That's where community health centers, like Health Partnership Clinic, step in,\u201d said Davids. \u201cThey play a vital role in providing health care services to Kansans, no matter their income level or background. I\u2019ll continue supporting all health centers in our community because access to health care ensures folks in our community can live safe, healthy, and productive lives.\u201d\n\n\u201cHealth Partnership Clinic is grateful to our federal partners for the continued support of funding to provide quality, affordable and accessible health care to those who are uninsured and underinsured,\u201d says Amy Falk, CEO, Health Partnership Clinic. \u201cWe appreciate Rep. Davids\u2019 and others\u2019 support of our funding and their continued advocacy for preventative and acute health care for both children and adults. This is key to creating a viable workforce and a healthy community.\u201d\n\nSince coming to Congress, Davids has worked to make health care more affordable and accessible to all Kansans. She helped pass legislation that, for the first time ever, empowers Medicare to begin negotiating for lower prescription drug prices. The law also caps the cost of insulin at $35 for Medicare beneficiaries, and following Davids\u2019 support for an extension of this cap to all insulin users, the top three insulin producers, who make up about 90 percent of the insulin market in the U.S., announced they'll cut or cap the price of insulin.\n\nLast year, Davids visited Health Partnership Clinic with Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to urge Medicaid expansion in Kansas. She also previously announced the clinic was awarded American Rescue Plan funding to expand their COVID-19 vaccine, testing, and treatment operations for vulnerable populations during the pandemic.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-urges-federal-agency-protect-water-kansas-farmers", "Davids Urges Federal Agency to Protect Water for Kansas Farmers", "2024-05-01", "2024", "2024-05", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Last night, Representative Sharice Davids urged the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to consider expanding a water conservation program to include Kansas\u2019 High Plains Aquifer (HPA). Farmers across Kansas depend on the HPA to support their businesses, but its water levels are declining, accelerating the need to find economically viable solutions that improve access to water in the long term. Davids, a member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, voted for the Inflation Reduction Act, which created this conservation program.\n\n\"Agriculture is Kansas\u2019 largest economic driver, but drought and low water supply threaten our state\u2019s future economy and the livelihood of thousands of folks across the state,\u201d said Davids. \u201cAs a member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, I\u2019m working to preserve our state\u2019s resources and ensure our farmers and communities can thrive for years to come. I urge the Department of the Interior to fully consider adding Kansas to the LC Conservation Program, which would help secure a reliable and affordable water supply for our state\u2019s residents.\u201d\n\nMuch of Kansas has recently experienced some of the worst drought conditions in the country, impacting the state's agricultural industry. Additionally, the Ogallala Aquifer, which is part of the HPA and covers much of western Kansas, has seen its water supply reduced by more than 250 feet in some areas. A completely depleted Aquifer, which is currently a possibility in the coming decades, would likely mean economic devastation, driving up food costs across the state and displacing thousands of people.\n\nThe conservation program, known as the Lower Colorado River Basin Conservation and Efficiency Program (LC Conservation Program), was initially created to address the Colorado River Basin\u2019s drought crisis. Now, the DOI plans to use an additional $500 million for projects in other basins with comparable levels of drought. To protect our state\u2019s water supply, Davids is requesting the DOI fully consider Governor Laura Kelly\u2019s request for Kansas to be added to the program.\n\n\u201cWe fully endorse Rep. Davids\u2019 efforts to address quantity and quality issues in the High Plains Aquifer System,\u201d said Joe Newland, President, Kansas Farm Bureau. \u201cThese federal resources would go toward creating voluntary, incentive-based conservation practices to ensure the long-term sustainability of Kansas agriculture and communities for generations to come.\u201d\n\n\u201cA timely expansion of the LC Conservation Program is crucial to our efforts to mitigate economic impacts to communities in this region,\u201d said Kansas Governor Laura Kelly. \u201cThe High Plains Aquifer is vital to our agriculture industry, small towns, and wildlife. Adding the aquifer to this program may allow the region to evade the worst of the potentially irreversible short and long-term consequences that are predicted.\u201d\n\nDavids has been working to secure a more reliable water supply for Kansas farmers and the families they feed. She previously requested a language change to this year\u2019s annual water resource bill to save the State of Kansas more than $41 million. This would provide financial relief for the state and secure a more dependable and affordable water source for residents and businesses for years to come.\n\nDavids is also working to craft a bipartisan Farm Bill that not only supports Kansas farmers but also lowers costs by securing agricultural supply chains. Davids recently hosted USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, Senator Pat Roberts, and other policymakers to discuss the successes and challenges of Kansas\u2019 farmers and producers.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T21:01:11Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-seeks-veterans-gold-star-families-active-duty-spouses-career", "Davids Seeks Veterans, Gold Star Families, Active-Duty Spouses for Career Opportunity in Her Kansas Office", "2024-04-30", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced her office has been selected to host a Green & Gold Congressional Aide for a two-year position based in her Overland Park district office. The opportunity is open to veterans, Gold Star families, and active-duty spouses who meet certain eligibility requirements. The person selected will work directly with constituents of Kansas\u2019 Third District, acting as a facilitator with federal, state, and local agencies.\n\n\"Coming from a military family, I know that service members and their families make incredible sacrifices. It's our responsibility to ensure they receive the support they deserve, and our office is fully committed to fulfilling that promise,\" said Davids. \"I'm honored to offer this fellowship to ensure that veterans and their families not only have access to quality employment opportunities but also receive the care and services they have rightfully earned.\"\n\nThe Green & Gold Congressional Aide Program was established to create employment opportunities for veterans, Gold Star families, and active-duty spouses within the U.S. House of Representatives. These positions provide aides with the experience and exposure necessary to broaden their career opportunities. The program offers a two-year, paid, full-time employment opportunity, with specific duties to be outlined during the hiring process.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-celebrates-major-federal-investment-help-close-kansas-digital-divide", "Davids Celebrates Major Federal Investment to Help Close Kansas\u2019 Digital Divide", "2024-04-26", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids celebrated Kansas\u2019 newly approved proposal to utilize nearly $452 million to deploy affordable, equitable, and reliable high-speed Internet service throughout the state. The federal investment, delivered through the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, will help ensure all Kansans have the capacity to thrive in our digital economy. Davids, who was the only member of the Kansas delegation to support the bipartisan infrastructure law, previously encouraged Kansans to fill out the National Broadband Map survey, which was the main source in determining state funding levels.\n\n\u201cKansas\u2019 current broadband system does not operate at the level folks need across our state to efficiently access crucial resources like employment opportunities, virtual learning, and health care,\u201d said Davids. \u201cOne of my main priorities is ensuring the efficient implementation of the bipartisan infrastructure law. I applaud Kansas\u2019 Office of Broadband Development for their work to make this proposal a reality.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Kansas Office of Broadband Development is incredibly grateful for Representative Davids\u2019 continued support to ensure every Kansan receives the connectivity they need to thrive in our digital society,\u201d said Jade Piros de Carvalho, Broadband Director, Kansas Office of Broadband Development. \u201cHer vote for the bipartisan infrastructure law has been a game changer for our state, and this historic investment will offer our best hope to date at closing the digital divide.\u201d\n\nIn total, the bipartisan infrastructure law has provided more than $578 million to Kansas to improve access to high-speed Internet, build out the state\u2019s broadband infrastructure, and make high-speed Internet more affordable. In December 2022, Kansas was awarded its first round of BEAD funds to develop a five-year action plan, identify unserved and underserved locations, and build capacity at the Kansas Office of Broadband Development. Kansas\u2019 newly approved proposal outlines the state\u2019s plans to use the $451.7 million award to provide high-speed Internet to areas lacking access.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-works-sanitation-collection-shift-highlights-her-bipartisan-law-support", "Davids Works Sanitation Collection Shift, Highlights Her Bipartisan Law to Support Women Truck Drivers", "2024-04-25", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "SHAWNEE, KS - Today, Representative Sharice Davids worked a \"Sharice's Shift\" alongside Terrell Banks, a five-year veteran with Waste Management, to collect trash at homes in Shawnee, KS. Davids highlighted her bipartisan legislation to support women truck drivers, which passed as part of the bipartisan infrastructure law. Davids was the only member of Kansas\u2019 congressional delegation to support this historic investment in our state\u2019s infrastructure.\n\nWhile the trucking industry has recently seen a notable increase in female representation, with women now accounting for nearly 14 percent of drivers, the American Trucking Association warns of an ongoing shortage of truck drivers that\u2019s projected to reach 160,000 drivers by 2030.\n\n\u201cIn the Kansas City metro area, a pivotal transportation and shipping hub, we understand the important role of the trucking industry and its drivers in powering our daily lives and economy,\u201d said Davids. \u201cAmidst challenges in recruiting and retaining truck drivers, I\u2019m proud that my bipartisan bill to eliminate barriers for women entering the trucking industry is creating good-paying jobs for Kansans. I\u2019ll keep striving to support all Kansas workers, and that certainly includes the driver I had the privilege of shadowing today.\u201d\n\n\u201cCongresswoman Davids, through her work, has demonstrated a commitment to assist and grow the number of women in the trucking industry,\u201d said Carmen Perez, Area General Manager, Heartland Area Operations Management, Waste Management. \u201cWe at Waste Management share that commitment and we continue to focus on making progress on the issue. Thank you, Congresswoman, for taking time to learn about our industry and the amazing female drivers who help us accomplish our mission every day.\u201d\n\nBefore joining Terrell Banks for her shift today, Davids visited a local Waste Management facility to meet with staff and discuss the flow of waste materials in the Kansas City region. She spoke about her efforts to create good-paying job opportunities for all Kansans and her bipartisan legislation to boost the trucking workforce by encouraging women to join the industry. Today\u2019s events follow Davids\u2019 visit to the Johnson County landfill earlier this month.\n\nDavids previously introduced the bipartisan Promoting Women in Trucking Workforce Act to establish a Women in Trucking Advisory Board, which reviews and reports on challenges facing woman drivers. In 2022, the bill was signed into law as part of the bipartisan infrastructure law. Since then, the advisory board has completed its report with findings and final recommendations to the U.S. Department of Transportation\u2019s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). FMCSA will soon deliver an additional report to Congress describing its action to adopt the recommendations.\n\nThe bipartisan infrastructure law, which is paid for through a combination of new revenues and savings, has been called the most fiscally responsible infrastructure bill in at least a decade by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In all, more than $3.2 billion in federal bipartisan infrastructure law funding has been announced for Kansas, with more than 376 specific projects identified \u2014 from lead pipe replacement in Olathe to safety initiatives in Kansas City, Kansas to long-overdue upgrades to K-68 in Miami County.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-davids-works-lower-prices-gas-internet-kansans", "ICYMI: Davids Works to Lower Prices on Gas, Internet for Kansans", "2024-04-23", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Last week, Davids took multiple actions to lower costs for hardworking families in Kansas and across the country. First, she announced the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fulfilled her request to issue a national emergency fuel waiver, allowing the sale of cheaper-produced fuel and saving Kansas money at the gas pump. Then, she joined her New Democrat Coalition colleagues to urge U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to take immediate bipartisan action to extend the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which saves Kansas households up to $30 per month on their internet bill.\n\nThe EPA\u2019s waiver will allow for the sale of E15 \u2013 a fuel blended with 10.5 to 15 percent ethanol \u2013 during the 2024 summer season in Kansas. Because ethanol is produced domestically from local products and at a cheaper rate than unblended, unleaded gasoline, this action will lower the cost of gas for Kansans, support local agriculture professionals, and improve domestic supply chains.\n\nSeparately, the ACP currently empowers 23 million households \u2014 including 133,746 Kansas households \u2014 to access affordable broadband. The program was originally enacted as part of the bipartisan infrastructure law championed by Davids last Congress. However, without additional action from Congress, the ACP will cease entirely on April 30, and millions of households could lose crucial internet access.\n\nKCTV 5: WATCH: EPA takes Davids-supported action to lower gas prices heading into summer\n\n\u201cThe Environmental Protection Agency issued an emergency waiver to allow E15 gasoline to be sold during summer. It said the war in Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East are leading to less supply and higher prices.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nSeveral lawmakers, including Rep. Sharice Davids (Kan.-D) said they asked for the waiver.\n\n\u2018Because ethanol is produced domestically from local products and at a cheaper rate than unblended, unleaded gasoline, this action will lower the cost of gas for Kansans, support local agriculture professionals, and improve domestic supply chains,\u2019 according to a statement from Davids\u2019 office.\n\nDavids also pointed to other actions she supports to lower gas prices by:\n\nCosponsoring bipartisan legislation that would make the year-round sale of this fuel permanent nationwide.\n\nVoting for the Year-Round Fuel Choice Act, which allow retailers the ability to sell higher ethanol-blended fuels year-round,\n\nHelping to pass legislation that promotes sustainable aviation fuel, a liquid fuel that achieves significant emissions reduction compared to fossil-based jet fuel,\n\nSupporting legislation that expands biofuels infrastructure, opening up new market opportunities for sustainable fuel sources and lower energy costs for Kansas families,\n\nPushing the President to suspend the federal gas tax, providing immediate relief to Kansans at the gas pump.\n\nThe EPA credits the Clean Air Act for approving the waiver.\n\n\u2018Allowing E15 sales during the summer driving season will increase fuel supply, while supporting American farmers, strengthening our nation\u2019s energy security, and providing relief to drivers across the country,\u2019 Michael S. Regan, EPA Administrator, said.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nEPA\u2019s emergency fuel waiver will go into effect on May 1 and will last through May 20, which is the maximum time allowed for the waiver.\u201d\n\nKSHB 41: WATCH: Davids supports federal action to prevent internet bill increases\n\n\u201cA program 23 million Americans have used over the last few years is set to \u2018wind down,\u2019 according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The Affordable Connectivity Program, or ACP, helps low-income families and individuals pay for access to the internet.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nWithout action from Congress, April will be the last fully-funded month of the program. More than 500,000 people on both sides of the state line have benefitted from this program.\n\nThe White House said the state of Kansas has received $71,184,253 benefiting 133,746 households. Over the life of the program Missouri received $217,858,016, which helped 395,504 households.\n\n[\u2026]\n\n\u2018To find out that I may lose that, well that\u2019s a big difference,\u2019 Woods said. \u2018I\u2019m trying to figure out how I\u2019m going to shift that money here or pay for that here.\u2019\n\n[\u2026]\n\nWoods said he hopes Congress can keep their connection to constituents.\n\n\u2018We need you to sit down at the table, listen to what the people want because that\u2019s who you work for,\u2019 he said. \u2018Not for yourself or your own self gain. You work for the people, do something. Our voices are yelling out, help.\u2019\n\n[\u2026]\n\nBoth the Senate and House are considering bills that would extend the Affordable Connectivity Program, but neither bill is scheduled for a vote. Members of the House launched a discharge petition, which is a procedure to essentially force a vote on the proposal.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-statement-following-bipartisan-vote-national-security-package", "Davids Statement Following Bipartisan Vote on National Security Package", "2024-04-20", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids released the following statement after voting for bipartisan legislation that protects America\u2019s allies abroad and sends much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).\n\n\u201cToday, I voted with Republicans and Democrats to protect our allies in Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan in their fights against tyranny and terror and to deliver aid to innocent civilians in Gaza. While I am frustrated that preserving our national security has been marred with partisanship, in times of crisis, we must defend democracy and recognize that stability and prosperity abroad directly impact our safety and economy at home.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/epa-grants-davids-request-issues-emergency-fuel-waiver-lower-gas-prices", "EPA Grants Davids\u2019 Request, Issues Emergency Fuel Waiver to Lower Gas Prices", "2024-04-19", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fulfilled Representative Sharice Davids\u2019 request by issuing a national emergency fuel waiver to allow the sale of E15 \u2013 a fuel blended with 10.5 to 15 percent ethanol \u2013 during the 2024 summer season in Kansas. Because ethanol is produced domestically from local products and at a cheaper rate than unblended, unleaded gasoline, this action will lower the cost of gas for Kansans, support local agriculture professionals, and improve domestic supply chains.\n\n\u201cI am glad the EPA answered my call today to provide relief for Kansans at the gas pump,\u201d said Davids. \u201cWhile Kansans continue to deal with high costs, this emergency waiver will lower gas prices, while also supporting local agricultural producers and reducing our country\u2019s dependence on foreign oil supply. As I said last year, this is the right move in the short-term, but I\u2019ll continue focusing on lowering costs in the long-term as well.\u201d\n\nFor multiple years, Davids has urged the EPA \u2014 and sponsored federal legislation \u2014 to guarantee the sale of this E15 not only during the summer but also year-round. This would reduce our reliance on foreign oil, build U.S. energy security, and support Kansas agriculture and manufacturing.\n\nLast year, Davids visited East Kansas Agri-Energy (EKAE), a Garnett-based renewable ethanol producer, as part of her Farm Bill listening tour. EKAE, which received federal funding to assist with business operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, has around 40 full-time employees and relies heavily on Kansas corn producers to supply the crops needed to make the biofuel.\n\nDavids has taken additional actions to lower gas prices for Kansans by:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-helps-introduce-bipartisan-bill-lower-grocery-costs-prevent-foreign", "Davids Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Lower Grocery Costs, Prevent Foreign Influence by Securing Agriculture Supply Chains", "2024-04-18", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "This week, Representative Sharice Davids helped introduced bipartisan legislation to protect America's food and agriculture supply chain, preventing disruptions that inflate grocery costs. With supply chain issues exacerbated by COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, rising grocery prices continue to be a main concern for hardworking families. The legislation addresses China's growing influence in critical agricultural sectors, aiming to maintain America\u2019s access to key inputs, sustain agricultural productivity, and secure domestic food security.\n\n\u201cDuring the pandemic, supply chain disruptions and reliance on foreign-made goods led to higher grocery prices and uncertainty for the farmers and producers in Kansas who contribute to our state\u2019s largest economic engine,\u201d said Davids. \u201cDespite recent progress in strengthening our supply chains, grocery costs still must come down for hardworking families. The Securing American Agriculture Act is another bipartisan step toward lowering those prices and building an economy that works for everyone, especially for the middle- and working-classes.\u201d\n\nAmerican farmers provide the world's safest and largest food supply, using agricultural tools to boost farming efficiency, fight disease and drought, and sustain the environment. However, China's growing dominance over these tools threatens our national security. The bipartisan Securing American Agriculture Act:\n\nRequires the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct an annual assessment to evaluate:\n\nAmerican critical agricultural input supply chains that could be exploited by the People\u2019s Republic of China (PRC);\n\nCurrent domestic production capacity for specified critical inputs;\n\nCurrent and potential bottlenecks in the food and agriculture supply chain.\n\nRequires the Secretary of Agriculture to provide recommendations to mitigate potential threats from the People\u2019s Republic of China and for legislative and regulatory actions to reduce barriers to domestic critical input production.\n\nWhile our economy is experiencing record job creation, the cost of groceries remains high. To help lower those costs, Davids, who was named a \"Champion of the Shippers,\" has worked to shore up our domestic supply chains, which eases inflationary pressures for Kansans. Davids\u2019 additional work to lower grocery costs and strengthen supply chains include:\n\nVoting to pass the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act to shore up the food and agriculture supply chain, assure fair competition in the meat and poultry sectors, and lower food and gasoline costs.\n\nHolding multipleroundtables with Kansas business, manufacturing, and technology leaders on how recent legislation to improve supply chains will help boost their businesses' financial security.\n\nCosponsoring the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, a new law aimed at addressing supply chain snags and reducing dependence on goods produced outside of the United States.\n\nMeeting with President Biden at the White House to urge him to pass a supply chain and economic package that invests in American manufacturing.\n\nWorking a \"Sharice's Shift\" at a local Price Chopper, where she helped store employees unload deliveries from shipping trucks, stock grocery shelves, and bag groceries.\n\nAs a member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, Davids is also working to craft a bipartisan Farm Bill that supports Kansas farmers and lowers costs, including by securing agricultural supply chains to keep costs low and support our state\u2019s largest economic sector. Davids recently hosted USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, Senator Pat Roberts, and other policymakers to discuss the successes and challenges of Kansas\u2019 farmers and producers.\n\nWATCH: Davids inquires about the USDA\u2019s efforts to lower grocery costs for Kansas families", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-kc-star-guest-column-davids-urges-bipartisanship-farm-bill", "ICYMI: In KC Star Guest Column, Davids Urges Bipartisanship in Farm Bill Reauthorization", "2024-04-15", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Yesterday, Representative Sharice Davids penned a guest column in the Kansas City Star highlighting her recent farm tour and conversations with a bipartisan group of agriculture policy makers and Kansas farmers and producers. Davids touches on the need to overcome partisan gridlock and pass a bipartisan Farm Bill, which is set to expire later this year.\n\nRead Davids\u2019 full column in the Kansas City Star:\n\n\u201cOn a recent spring day, as planting season began for Kansas farmers, I gathered a group of bipartisan agriculture policy leaders, including former U.S. Senator and Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee Pat Roberts and current Kansas and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials, to join me in hearing from Kansas\u2019 farmers about their successes, challenges, and priorities. From our conversations, one thing was resoundingly clear: Congress must pass a bipartisan Farm Bill.\n\nSince the Great Depression, the Farm Bill has been instrumental in equipping Kansas producers with essential tools, and Kansans have played an outsized role in shaping this law. Thanks in large part to the efforts of former Kansas Senator Bob Dole, as of 1973, the Farm Bill has also included provisions guaranteeing access to nutritious foods for all Americans. And Senator Roberts holds the unique distinction of being the sole member of Congress to have chaired both the House and Senate Agriculture Committees and played a pivotal role in negotiating eight Farm Bills \u2014 all bipartisan.\n\nThis year, Congress is working on reauthorizing the Farm Bill to sustain programs that uplift Kansas\u2019 economy, support farmers, benefit children, and lower grocery costs. However, as Senator Roberts pointed out on our tour, partisan differences have hindered the progress of this vital legislation.\n\nIt is crucial for Democrats and Republicans to unite and pass a bipartisan Farm Bill that offers producers and small agribusinesses the support necessary for their success.\n\nDespite the often-mentioned division in Washington, the process of crafting a Farm Bill has a rich history of bipartisanship. And this year, Kansas has two voices, me and Representative Tracey Mann, on the House Agriculture Committee advocating for their priorities.\n\nAfter completing my Farm Bill listening tour across every county in the Third District last year, I identified top priorities for the Farm Bill: lowering grocery costs, enhancing crop insurance, investing in Kansas\u2019 agriculture research, ensuring the effectiveness of USDA programs, and safeguarding nutrition programs to ensure access to nutritious food and promote healthy living.\n\nFor last month\u2019s tour, we were also joined by U.S. Deputy Agriculture Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, former House Agriculture Committee Chair Collin Peterson, former Kansas Representative Jim Slattery, Kansas Lieutenant Governor David Toland, and Kansas Agriculture Secretary Mike Beam. Alongside these leaders, I once again heard directly from Kansans and gained more valuable insights into their experiences and challenges.\n\nOur day began with a visit to Finley Farms, a multigenerational family-operated agribusiness in Edgerton specializing in corn and soybeans. We learned about their farm's history and how USDA programs, like the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), have helped combat soil erosion and improve water quality, ultimately allowing them to produce more healthy crops.\n\nThe Finleys highlighted challenges like the absence of broadband, which is needed to operate farming equipment in our digital world. Ensuring universal internet access statewide has been a consistent priority of mine since coming to Congress. The Farm Bill offers a chance to further advance the strides made by the bipartisan infrastructure law's $65 billion investment in broadband, particularly benefiting rural communities.\n\nWe also sat down for a conversation at Kansas State University\u2019s Olathe Campus with a group of producers, agribusiness owners, crop insurers, and grocers to hear their perspectives built on decades of experience. We discussed addressing their Farm Bill priorities, fostering innovation in agriculture, and improving the resiliency of our supply chains.\n\nThe Farm Bill is important not only for the farmers and ranchers directly affected by its policies, but also for everyone working hard to put food on the table for their families. Strengthening our agriculture supply chain \u2014 which encompasses businesses selling seed and fertilizer, processors packaging goods, and truckers delivering food to grocery stores \u2014 plays a crucial role in reducing food costs for Kansans.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-announces-federal-grants-improve-research-university-kansas-medical-1", "Davids Announces Federal Grants to Improve Research at the University of Kansas Medical Center", "2024-04-12", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded the University of Kansas Medical Center with more than $4,200,000 to boost research capabilities in Kansas\u2019 Third Congressional District. The four projects being awarded will develop treatments for neurological disorders, cancers, and diabetes and help close disparity gaps in health care. The University of Kansas is one of 36 U.S. public universities in the Association of American Universities, an organization of the nation\u2019s top research universities.\n\n\"We are lucky to have such a widely respected and advanced medical research center in our region, and I'm glad to help increase their research capabilities by securing these new federal resources,\" said Davids. \"The four studies being awarded will further contribute to medical research breakthroughs at the University of Kansas Medical Center, keeping our community and the entire country healthy.\"\n\n\u201cThese grants and awards highlight the importance of our work at KU Medical Center as we continue to advance scientific discovery and improve health outcomes in Kansas and beyond,\u201d said Matthias Salathe, M.D., Vice Chancellor for Research, University of Kansas Medical Center. \u201cWe are grateful for Representative Davids and her continued work to support research and medical innovation.\u201d\n\nThe federal grants announced today support four specific research projects at the University of Kansas Medical Center:\n\nPrecision Medicine Research - $2,337,371\n\nThe federal resources will be used to train four up-and-coming scientists on precision medicine techniques, which improve health outcomes by tailoring treatments to the unique needs of each patient. The results will help close disparity gaps \u2014 often caused by \u201cone size fits all\u201d therapies \u2014 leading to meaningful impacts on population health.\n\nNeurological Disorder Research - $752,627\n\nThe federal resources will be used to better understand how the brain repairs itself after strokes and other brain injuries. The results will help develop new therapies, like better rehabilitation methods, reducing long-term disability and improving quality of life.\n\nOral Diseases and Disorders Research - $688,138\n\nThe federal resources will be used to study how kidney transplant patients can avoid excessive weight gain, a common concern after receiving a transplant that affects about two thirds of all kidney transplant recipients. The results will help improve the long-term health of kidney transplant recipients, reducing their risk of diabetes and heart disease.\n\nCancer Prevention Research - $504,752\n\nThe federal resources will be used to determine how DNA damage \u2014 commonly attributed to a combination of genetic, environmental, lifestyle, and disease-related factors \u2014 relates to cancer. The results will help lead to new ways to prevent or treat cancer, benefiting communities by improving health outcomes.\n\nDavids has worked to support the University of Kansas Medical Center\u2019s life-saving research and medical treatment since being sworn into Congress. She secured funding for the purchase of advanced CT and MRI machines at the Hoglund Biomedical Imaging Center, a research-based imaging facility on the University of Kansas Medical Center\u2019s campus. Davids also announced federal resources to improve youth mental health through expanded primary care clinician training at the University of Kansas Medical Center and to prepare children in Wyandotte County for life inside and outside of the classroom through Head Start programs focusing on early learning, health, and family well-being.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-davids-hosts-bipartisan-policymakers-farm-tour-discussion-boosting", "ICYMI: Davids Hosts Bipartisan Policymakers for Farm Tour, Discussion on Boosting Kansas\u2019 Agriculture Economy", "2024-04-10", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Recently, Representative Sharice Davids hosted U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, Former Kansas Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS), Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam, and other policymakers from both parties to discuss the successes and challenges of Kansas\u2019 farmers and producers. The group toured a local farm, held a discussion and press conference with regional agriculture professionals, and ate a lunch of locally sourced food.\n\nAlong with Torres Small, Roberts, and Beam, Davids was joined by former Representatives Collin Peterson (MN-07), Chair of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, and Jim Slattery (KS-02). Throughout the day, the need to overcome partisan gridlock and pass a bipartisan Farm Bill reauthorization was consistently highlighted.\n\nDavids\u2019 efforts to support Kansas\u2019 agriculture economy made headlines across Kansas:\n\nKansas Reflector: \u201cDavids, Roberts anxious about Washington gridlock inhibiting development of new farm bill\u201d\n\n\u201cDemocratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids and former Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts share bipartisan angst about political gridlock impeding progress on a new five-year farm bill outlining federal programs in agriculture, conservation, nutrition and trade.\n\n[\u2026]\n\n\u2018You can see that the economy and the future of our state is so tied up on how well our farmers and producers in the ag sector are doing,\u2019 said Davids, who serves the five-county 3rd District. \u2018The farm bill is not a partisan issue. I\u2019ll continue working to pass a bipartisan farm bill this year.\u2019\n\nShe said after touring a Johnson County farm and taking part in a roundtable discussion on agriculture that the tradition of the House and Senate taking a bipartisan approach to the farm bill was being challenged by combative politicians in Washington, D.C.\n\n\u2018I was honored to be joined by so many agriculture professionals and policymakers from both parties as we work to ensure Kansas producers have the support needed to thrive,\u2019 Davids said.\n\n[\u2026]\n\n[Roberts] said serving as agriculture committee chairman during work on four farm bills taught him lawmakers \u2014 urban and rural, conservative and liberal \u2014 had to set aside differences and reach across the aisle.\n\n\u2018We know the most important thing when you get down to it is to get a bill passed to provide farmers certainty and predictability,\u2019 Roberts said. \u2018That is the most important question you have with the farm bill. Unfortunately, that is not the most important question we see today in the House of Representatives.\u2019\u201d\n\nFOX4 Kansas City:\n\n\u201cCongresswoman Sharice Davids promises to get a Farm Bill across the finish line in DC for Kansas and she talked with local Kansas farmers and agriculture officials. The work on the Farm Bill has stretched out for nearly a year.\n\n\u2018It\u2019s not just this piece of paper. It\u2019s actually a critical piece of legislation and lifeline for our farmers.\u2019\n\n[\u2026]\n\nFormer Kansas Senator Pat Roberts was at Congresswoman Davids\u2019 roundtable. He blamed a group of lawmakers who are part of the Freedom Caucus for delaying the Farm Bill.\n\n\u2018That\u2019s not the House that House that I represented for many years, or, for that matter, the Senate. And it is very troubling to me.\u2019\u201d\n\nKFRM News: \u201cU.S. Representative Sharice Davids Hosts Agriculture Roundtable In Kansas: Discusses Farm Bill And Support For Local Farmers\u201d\n\n\u201cOn Wednesday, March 27th, U.S. Representative Sharice Davids hosted a roundtable discussion in Olathe about the accomplishments and challenges farmers and producers face in Kansas.\n\n[\u2026]\n\n\u2018When I get the chance to talk to folks \u2014 first of all, the Farm Bill is a must pass piece of legislation \u2026 and a bunch of those programs, things like crop insurance, things like the programs for cover crops \u2026 those are the kinds of programs that have a lifeline because of the Farm Bill.\u2019\n\nRep. Davids said that she is optimistic that the Farm Bill will pass.\n\n\u2018If it takes longer than it needs to, I wouldn\u2019t look at it as a Farm Bill not passing. I would look at it as, if absolutely necessary, we will extend so that we can continue the negotiations. But we will get a Farm Bill done.\u2019\n\nRep. Davids said she wants people to know the work is getting done, and that she is focused on supporting Kansas resources.\u201d\n\nThe Gardner News: \u201cUS Rep. Davids visits local farm, hosts policymakers for Farm Bill discussion\u201d\n\nThe future of farming in Kansas was the center of the conversation March 27.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nDavids said the day had been fun and informative, and Finley Farms was a \u2018prime\u2019 example of a small, thriving agriculture business.\n\n[\u2026]\n\n\u2018Kansas farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our nation, providing food and resources to folks here at home and around the world,\u2019 she said.\n\nU.S. Dept. of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small said it was through investment that the Finley family was able to look at the best and most efficient way to grow their crops and \u2018be able to pass that farm on for generations.\u2019\n\n\u2018We know we succeed when we invest in farmers and rural communities,\u2019 she said.\n\nFormer Senator Pat Roberts said a six generation farm is unusual. \u2018And probably the most serious question we have is where is the next generation of farmers going to come from,\u2019 he said. \u2018Finley Farms has that answer so our hats off to them.\u2019\n\n[\u2026]\n\n\u2018You can see the economy and the future of our State is so tied up into how well our farmers and producers in the Ag sector are doing,\u2019 she said. Davids said they need to get to the root of the issues folks are facing and addressing the most pressing challenges.\n\nDavids said the Farm Bill is not a partisan issue. \u2018It\u2019s a common sense solution to lower grocery costs and safeguard our food supply, create good-paying jobs in rural American and sustain Kansas\u2019 agricultural heritage for generations to come,\u2019 she said.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nRoberts said Davids is doing a great job and sitting on the wagon tongue listening to her constituents.\n\n\u2018Farmers never put their seed in the ground if he or she didn\u2019t have optimism that they wouldn\u2019t have a crop,\u2019 he said. Roberts said, however, this year was different. \u2018This is different from 2018,\u2019 he said. \u2018Always before the Ag Committee would come out with a bi-partisan agreement.\u2019\n\nRoberts said the most important thing is to get a bill passed; especially the Farm Bill. \u2018To provide farmers certainty and predictability,\u2019 he said. \u2018That is the most important question you have with the Farm Bill. Unfortunately, that is not the most important question we see today in the House of Representatives. The stars in our constellation are much different from the ones that we are today.\u2019\n\nRoberts said he \u2018chalks up\u2019 the bill\u2019s gridlock issues to ideology and partisanship.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nRoberts said Davids had been a \u2018jewel\u2019 with all her hard work trying to bring everyone together. In return, Davids said Roberts had been an invaluable resource for her and her team.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nDavids said everyone needs to do everything they can to make sure politics \u2018doesn\u2019t hinder\u2019 the ability to help and support farmers access essential resources for daily decision making, business operations and putting food on their tables. \u2018Because they are putting food on everyone else\u2019s table,\u2019 she said.\n\n[\u2026]\n\nDavids said she views her role as 3rd District Representative as representing everyone.\n\n\u2018I think of this role as being of collaboration and listening and trying to support with federal resources where I can,\u2019 she said.\u201d\n\nKansas City Star Politics:\n\n\u201cFormer Sen. Pat Roberts had some stern words for the Republican House Freedom caucus at a press conference urging the passage of the Farm Bill. Roberts, who was invited to speak by Rep. Sharice Davids, said \u2018ideologues\u2019 in the House were preventing Congress from doing its business, like reauthorizing the Farm Bill to give farmers some stability.\n\n\u2018If you\u2019re an ideologue, they\u2019re right, you\u2019re wrong, and no amount of talking or reasonable conversation or whatever is going to bring them to the table,\u2019 Roberts said. \u2018That\u2019s what we\u2019re faced with. Quite frankly, the Republican Party in the House of Representatives is in danger of losing their majority, due to this kind of performance or non-performance. And they\u2019re not doing their constituents any favors.\u2019", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-accepting-submissions-2024-congressional-art-competition", "Davids Accepting Submissions for 2024 Congressional Art Competition", "2024-04-08", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids invited high school students from Kansas\u2019 Third Congressional District to participate in her 2024 Congressional Art Competition. The winning artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol, and the artist will be recognized at a ceremony in Washington D.C.\n\n\u201cOur community is home to many talented young artists, and it has been an honor to showcase their talent on a national level through the Congressional Art Competition,\u201d said Davids. \u201cI once again encourage all high school-aged artists in Kansas\u2019 Third District to take part in this competition and share their skills. I look forward to seeing this year\u2019s submissions and walking past one in the U.S. Capitol later this year.\u201d\n\nDavids\u2019 team will be accepting art submissions on April 18, 2024 between 8 a.m. \u2013 5 p.m. CT at their Overland Park District Office. While Kansas-themed artwork is encouraged, all original artwork that meets the guidelines is welcome. The winning piece of art will be announced publicly in the coming months.\n\nThe Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for Members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their constituents. Since then, more than 650,000 high school students have been involved in the nationwide competition.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-works-sharices-shift-local-manufacturer-highlights-work-boost-domestic", "Davids Works \u201cSharice\u2019s Shift\u201d at Local Manufacturer, Highlights Work to Boost Domestic Supply Chains, Lower Costs", "2024-04-04", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "SPRING HILL, KS - Today, Representative Sharice Davids worked a \"Sharice's Shift\" at Seats Incorporated, a local truck seating manufacturer, to highlight her efforts to make more goods in Kansas. As businesses across the country have grappled with higher costs due to supply chain disruptions, Davids voted for a major bipartisan law to invest in American manufacturing. Seats, Inc. is a client of Kansas Manufacturing Solutions, which recently received renewed annual funding of more than $2 million to support 2,700 small and medium sized manufacturers across Kansas.\n\n\"For years, the heavy reliance on foreign-made goods has not only disrupted our domestic supply chain but also led to rising prices for Kansans,\" said Davids. \"To address this issue and bring down costs, we must make more goods at home. Recent bipartisan legislation I backed in Congress is paving the way for our state, and businesses like Seats, Inc., to be a frontrunner in manufacturing, bolstering our economy and the financial security of our families.\"\n\n\u201cWe are honored to welcome Representative Sharice Davids to Seats, Inc. in Spring Hill, KS,\u201d said Tim Stevens, General Manager, Seats, Inc. \u201cToday, she witnessed firsthand the innovative manufacturing processes that drive our commitment to quality seating solutions. We appreciate her interest in our work and opportunity to showcase how Seats, Inc. contributes to our local community and economy.\u201d\n\n\u201cKMS is thankful to Representative Sharice Davids for her ongoing support of Kansas manufacturers,\u201d said Tiffany Stovall, Chief Executive Officer, Kansas Manufacturing Solutions. \u201cAs the Kansas Manufacturing Extension Partnership, our mission is to help Kansas manufacturing firms grow and thrive by providing them direct services and our job is made much easier through legislative support. KMS also recognizes Seats Inc. and their commitment to not only produce quality products, but also for their support of and participation in KMS\u2019s Kansas City Manufacturing Network. Tim Stevens was highlighted by the KCMN members as 2023 Member of the year for his consistent active engagement.\u201d\n\nDuring the \"Sharice's Shift,\" Davids helped Seats, Inc. employees manufacture seating and accessories for trucks, semi-tractors, highway equipment, and emergency vehicles. Since 2018, Seats, Inc. has expanded in Spring Hill, creating jobs across 150,000 square feet of facilities. Davids shared her work in Congress to lower costs for hardworking Kansans and strengthen domestic supply chains \u2014 including voting for the CHIPS and Science Act, which is bringing jobs to Kansas, lowering costs for consumers, and supporting workforce development.\n\nDavids\u2019 additional work to strengthen domestic manufacturing and boost supply chains include:\n\nHolding multipleroundtables with Kansas business, manufacturing, and technology leaders on how recent legislation to improve supply chains will help boost their business' financial security.\n\nCosponsoring the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, a law aimed at addressing supply chain snags and reducing dependence on goods produced outside of the United States.\n\nMeeting with President Biden at the White House to urge him to pass a supply chain and economic package that invests in American manufacturing.\n\nVoting to pass the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act to shore up the food and agriculture supply chain, ensure fair competition in the meat and poultry sectors, and lower food and gasoline costs.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-visits-community-health-navigators-discusses-her-work-protect", "Davids Visits with Community Health Navigators, Discusses Her Work to Protect Affordable Health Care and Lower Costs", "2024-04-02", "2024", "2024-04", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "OLATHE, KS - Today, Representative Sharice Davids visited El Centro in Olathe, KS to discuss her work to protect affordable health care for all Kansans and to celebrate the recent 14th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act. A record of more than 21 million Americans enrolled in quality health care under the Affordable Care Act in 2023, including 171,376 Kansans. Thanks to recent Davids-supported legislation, people in Kansas\u2019 Third District are saving $780 per year on their ACA coverage.\n\nWhile Davids is working to protect and expand access to affordable health care, extreme politicians are once again pushing unpopular attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act. These extreme proposals would strip coverage from millions of Americans, allow discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions, and even eliminate Medicaid coverage for children and families.\n\n\"14 years ago, the passage of the Affordable Care Act changed lives. Since then, we've fought off attacks that would have stripped coverage from people with pre-existing conditions and we've passed tax cuts that saved people thousands of dollars on premiums,\" said Davids. \"However, as prescription drug costs are still too high and extremist politicians are threatening to hike health care costs and eliminate coverage for families, our work is far from over. We must continue strengthening the ACA, ensuring no one faces the impossible choice between utility bills and essential medicine for their loved ones.\"\n\n\u201cSince the launch of the Federal Marketplace Exchange, El Centro has offered enrollment assistance in Spanish for individuals and families looking for health coverage,\u201d said Justin Gust, Vice President of Community Engagement, El Centro. \u201cEl Centro became a Certified Application Counselor Designated Organization (CDO), allowing our staff to receive needed training and certification to help with enrollment. Even though we did not receive funding for this work at the time, it was important for us to become a CDO because we knew our community would need help in Spanish and would not be able to receive help elsewhere. We have partnered in many collaborations over the years to ensure that education about the Marketplace is available in Spanish, so our community knows they too are eligible and can receive assistance. For the past three years El Centro has been a subgrantee of Thrive Allen County, which has provided funding for our two Marketplace Navigators and increased our education and outreach efforts.\u201d\n\nDavids voted for the American Rescue Plan (ARP) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which expanded financial assistance for purchasing health insurance coverage on the Affordable Care Act marketplace. As a result, 80 percent of federal marketplace enrollees could find a plan for $120 or less per year. This increased enrollment has helped push the number of uninsured Americans to a record low of 7.7 percent in 2023, and the total number receiving their health insurance through an ACA marketplace reached an all-time high of 21 million in 2024.\n\nDavids is a fierce advocate for making health care more affordable and accessible to all Kansans. She voted to give Medicare the power to negotiate for lower prescription drug prices, cap insulin costs for Kansans on Medicare at $35 a month, and cap Medicare beneficiaries\u2019 out-of-pocket drug costs at $2,000 per year. She also supported legislation to protect patients from out-of-network surprise medical bills, which has shielded patients from millions of surprise bills since passage. This law included Davids\u2019 original legislation to improve insurer transparency, helping patients avoid unintentional out-of-network health care visits.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:47:55Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-tours-overland-park-road-reconstruction-highlights-her-successful", "Davids Tours Overland Park Road Reconstruction, Highlights Her Successful Project Request", "2024-03-29", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "OVERLAND PARK, KS - Yesterday, Representative Sharice Davids toured the 167th Street reconstruction project in Overland Park, which has had significant improvements since her last visit in 2022. The project \u2014 aimed at enhancing vehicle, pedestrian, and cyclist accessibility while supporting long-term job growth \u2014 was among the 14 Davids-supported projects passed by Congress for fiscal year (FY) 2023. Earlier this month, Davids announced Congress had passed 15 additional project requests, totaling $15.8 million for FY 2024.\n\n\u201cWhen I visited the 167th Street reconstruction project a year and a half ago, we saw mockups and designs. Today, we saw portions of completed construction that will help enhance the safety and drivability of a road that is getting busier every year,\u201d said Davids. \u201cWith new pavement, curbs, bike lanes, storm sewers, and more, I am excited for the future economic development this project will support. I\u2019m glad to work with our local officials to bring federal funds home and make our communities safer, more efficient, and better equipped to keep up with our growing community.\u201d\n\n\"This project is a key component of ensuring south Overland Park residents and visitors have access to the same high-quality infrastructure network as the rest of our city,\u201d said Curt Skoog, Mayor, City of Overland Park. \u201cI was glad to host Representative Davids at the project site to show her the good work our team is doing. I appreciate her support for this important project.\"\n\nThe one-mile portion of 167th Street, from Antioch to Switzer Road, is designated in the Overland Park Future Development Plan as a major thoroughfare, but currently has narrow lanes, steep roadside ditches, and no pedestrian access. Once construction is complete, the Davids-supported project will help provide safety, mobility, economic, and environmental benefits as the street connects a rapidly growing area of Overland Park, which includes Advent Health, the Bluehawk complex, and the Blue Valley Schools Activity Center. Details regarding specific enhancements, including a roundabout intersection, directional shoulders, a new curb and gutter on the north side, and enclosed storm drainage, can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-hosts-usda-deputy-secretary-policymakers-discuss-supporting-kansas", "Davids Hosts USDA Deputy Secretary, Policymakers to Discuss Supporting Kansas\u2019 Agriculture Professionals", "2024-03-27", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "OLATHE, KS \u2013 Today, Representative Sharice Davids hosted U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, Former Kansas Senator Pat Roberts, Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Mike Beam, and other policymakers to discuss the successes and challenges of Kansas\u2019 farmers and producers. The group toured a local farm, held a discussion with regional agriculture professionals, and ate a lunch of locally sourced food.\n\nWATCH: Davids hosts a press conference with Torres Small, Roberts, and Beam\n\n\u201cKansas farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our nation, providing food and resources to folks here at home and around the world,\u201d said Davids. \u201cI was honored to be joined by so many agriculture professionals and policymakers from both parties as we work to ensure Kansas producers have the support needed to thrive. The Farm Bill is not a partisan issue. It's a common-sense solution to lower grocery costs and safeguard our food supply, create good-paying jobs in rural America, and sustain Kansas\u2019 agricultural heritage for generations to come. I\u2019ll continue working to pass a bipartisan Farm Bill this year.\u201d\n\nThroughout the day, the need to overcome partisan gridlock and pass a bipartisan Farm Bill reauthorization was consistently highlighted. The Farm Bill, which includes provisions expiring on September 30, 2024, is a package of legislation reauthorized about every five years that includes several critically important agriculture, conservation, nutrition, and trade programs. Davids reiterated her commitment to collaboration across party lines and prioritizing Kansas farmers during the Farm Bill reauthorization.\n\n\"Rural America is hard at work, producing the food, fiber, and fuel our nation relies on,\u201d said Xochitl Torres Small, Deputy Secretary, USDA. \u201cPresident Biden's historic investment in rural America supports that work all across our country, through real-life solutions to decades-old challenges \u2014 bringing high-speed internet to communities across the nation, updating wastewater infrastructure, and increasing competition through more and better markets. USDA is committed to investing in farmers to promote growth and build a stronger, more sustainable economy for people in rural communities throughout Kansas and the nation.\"\n\n\u201cIt was a pleasure to join Sharice in Olathe today and listen firsthand to our farmers and ranchers discuss the challenges they face,\u201d said Pat Roberts, former U.S. Senator (R-KS) and Chairman of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees. \u201cOur producers need and deserve the security and predictability that can only come with the passage of a bipartisan Farm Bill. Having been a part of eight Farm Bill negotiations, including four as Chairman, I know firsthand that passage only takes place when Members put aside their differences and reach across the aisle. I thank Deputy Secretary Torres Small and my former colleague Colin Peterson for their participation.\u201d\n\n\"I\u2019m thankful that Congresswoman Davids assembled such an impressive group of agricultural leaders today, especially Deputy Secretary Torres Small,\u201d said Mike Beam, Secretary, Kansas Department of Agriculture. \u201cI sense everyone enjoyed the chance to have federal policy priorities discussion, including the importance of passing a Farm Bill as soon as possible.\"\n\nAlong with Torres Small, Roberts, and Beam, Davids was joined by former Representatives Collin Peterson (MN-07), Chair of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, and Jim Slattery (KS-02). The group first toured Finley Farms, a family-owned and operated farm growing primarily corn and soybeans, in Edgerton, KS. Finley Farms recently used USDA Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funding to build a tiled floor system, allowing water to drain properly to avoid land erosion and conserve soil.\n\nThen, the group held a roundtable discussion on the state of Kansas agriculture with representatives from the Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Farmers Union, National Crop Insurance Services, Kansas Livestock Association, and other commodity groups, grocers, and local agriculture professionals. Following the conversation, the group ate a locally sourced lunch provided by Kansas State University.\n\n\"It is an honor to spend the day in Kansas with my former colleagues and friends in agriculture,\" said Collin Peterson, former U.S. Representative (D-MN-07) and Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. \"I continue to be impressed by the work of Rep. Davids as she navigates the farm bill process. She truly understands the importance of bipartisan coalitions and pragmatic lawmaking and I think she has a great future as a strong leader on the House Agriculture Committee.\"\n\n\u201cIt is critically important for Kansas to have bipartisan representation in Congress, and this is especially important for the Agriculture Committee,\u201d said Jim Slattery,former U.S. Representative (KS-02). \u201cAs someone who has a farm in Kansas, the crop insurance program is important to all producers in Kansas and is perhaps the most successful Farm Bill program.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/local-governments-celebrate-new-davids-secured-federal-investments-heres-what", "Local Governments Celebrate New Davids-Secured Federal Investments: Here\u2019s What They\u2019re Saying", "2024-03-22", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids celebrated the passage of an additional project request in Kansas\u2019 Third District, bringing the total number of awardees to 15 impactful projects. If accepted by local recipients, the total $15.8 million will help purchase new law enforcement training vehicles, modernize a bridge that connects Kansas and Missouri, improve water access during extreme weather, and more. Additional information on each project can be found here.\n\n\u201cMy job is to advocate for the Third District in Washington and make sure the priorities of folks in our community are being addressed,\u201d said Davids. \u201cOur team worked in tandem with local officials and conducted detailed reviews of each proposal to ensure they met strong standards with a high return on investment. I\u2019ve long fought for responsible budget policies that protect taxpayers, and these investments maintain that commitment to fiscal responsibility while making a difference for Kansas.\u201d\n\nThe project passed today, which would help modernize Johnson County\u2019s emergency operations center to better respond to public safety needs, was included in the bipartisan government funding package that funds six federal agencies for fiscal year 2024. Each of the 15 Davids-requested projects were submitted in tandem with local officials and selected for their potential to improve health and safety in the community, bring economic opportunity to the Third District, and tackle climate change. Appropriations requests are subject to strict transparency and accountability rules, which can be found here.\n\nKansas mayors, city administrators, and other local leaders joined Davids to submit the 15 approved projects. Here\u2019s what they\u2019re saying:\n\n\"The new water tower and the enhancements to our water treatment plant are significant milestones in building resilient infrastructure for De Soto,\u201d said Mike Brungardt, City Administrator, City of De Soto. \u201cThe addition of 2 million gallons of elevated storage in the water tower will provide redundant fire suppression capacity, while upgrading our water treatment plant's capacity ensures future-proofing and operational efficiency. We extend our gratitude to Representative Davids for her instrumental role in securing the investments necessary for these crucial projects, highlighting the power of federal and local collaboration.\"\n\n\u201cOlathe is fortunate to have representation in Washington focused on returning funding to Kansas and our community,\u201d said Tim Danneberg, External Affairs Director, City of Olathe. \u201cRepresentative Davids\u2019 commitment to our community helps ensure we continue to have an exceptionally safe and effective water supply system now and in the future.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are thrilled to announce that thanks to Representative Davids' support, the City of Leawood has secured funding to raise Tomahawk Creek Parkway out of the floodplain, install dedicated bike lanes, and construct a much-needed roundabout at Town Center Drive,\u201d said Marc Elkins, Mayor, City of Leawood. \u201cThese improvements will significantly enhance safety and accessibility for residents and visitors alike. We are grateful for Representative Davids' partnership and look forward to working with her to bring this project to fruition.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe City of Mission was honored to be included among the 2024 Community Project Funding projects supported by Representative Davids,\u201d said Sollie Flora, Mayor, City of Mission. \"Federal support helps to stretch our limited local resources for the benefit of our residents. We appreciate the way Rep. Davids advocates for the communities and constituents in the Third District.\"\n\n\"Reopening the Kansas Avenue bridge is a top priority for the UG, especially with the World Cup coming to our region in 2026,\u201d said Mayor Tyrone Garner, Mayor/CEO, Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, KS. \u201cWe are very grateful to Congresswoman Davids and Congressman LaTurner for securing these federal funds to aid in our efforts to help get this bridge operational again\"\n\n\u201cWe greatly appreciate that Representative Sharice Davids\u2019 support has resulted in $2.509 million of federal funding for these projects,\u201d said Mike Kelly, Chairman, Johnson County Board of County Commissioners. \u201cThe US 69 Express project, an important transportation project, requires significant investment to relocate Johnson County Wastewater\u2019s underground infrastructure. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) upgrade project will modernize and renovate the county's existing EOC to provide the county with more reliable technology, allowing for increased functionality and information sharing. This assistance is a prime example of partnership among government entities that alleviates the direct financial impact to Johnson County while strengthening the county\u2019s infrastructure and ensuring the continued safety of Johnson County residents.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe are so appreciative of this federal support for the Police Academy at JCCC,\u201d said Dr. Judy Korb, Interim President, Johnson County Community College. \u201cThese funds for scenario vehicles will allow us to expand our capacity to train more law enforcement professionals to ensure the safety of our community. We thank Rep. Davids and her team for advocating for JCCC.\u201d\n\n\u201cAdding new homes has been a priority for Edgerton for several years,\u201d said Donald Roberts, Mayor, City of Edgerton. \u201cWe\u2019re so grateful to Representative Davids and her staff for helping us secure critical funding needed to offset the cost of utility infrastructure making this project a success. Not only will Edgerton see growth immediately, but this funding allows us to open up even more areas for future development.\u201d\n\n\"I am grateful to Representative Sharice Davids for her support in securing federal funding for two critical projects in Overland Park,\u201d said Curt Skoog, Mayor, City of Overland Park. \u201cThese initiatives demonstrate both Representative Davids\u2019 and the City\u2019s commitment to improving traffic safety throughout Overland Park, and the pedestrian experience near Downtown Overland Park.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe construction of the new water tower and the expansion of our water treatment plant are pivotal steps in De Soto\u2019s journey towards sustainable growth and development,\u201d said Rick Walker, Mayor, City of De Soto. \u201cThese projects will ensure a reliable water supply for our expanding residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, reinforce our commitment to public safety, and prepare us for the future growth of our vibrant community. We are immensely thankful to Representative Davids for her assistance in making these projects possible.\u201d\n\n\u201cFirst off, I would like to thank Representative Davids and her staff for pushing for these projects,\u201d said Travis Wilson, City Manager, City of Garnett. \u201cThis process to get a new Water Treatment Plant has been a very cumbersome process that started back in 2016. Two City Managers before me have been trying to push this through with obstacle after obstacle presenting itself and causing challenges. With the age of our plant, and the constant issues we face daily with components, this funding and building the new plant will not only improve efficiency but also the quality of water for the community.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-davids-helps-recover-missing-war-medals-shawnee-veteran", "ICYMI: Davids Helps Recover Missing War Medals for Shawnee Veteran", "2024-03-18", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Last week, KSHB 41 News reported on Representative Sharice Davids\u2019 efforts to replace Jerry Goff\u2019s military medals. Goff, a Vietnam War veteran from Shawnee, tried for more than one year to secure his missing medals, but was unsuccessful. Davids, whose casework team worked with the Army, National Archives, and Department of Defense to acquire the seven missing awards, presented the medals to Goff while surrounded by his family. Goff plans to pass on the medals to his grandchildren.\n\nRead more in KSHB:\n\n\u201cJerry Goff was awarded medals for his service in the Vietnam War, but they went missing. The medals were from 50 years ago.\n\n[\u2026]\n\n\u201cJerry Goff said he tried for over a year to get them back, and after seeing no progress, he contacted Kansas Rep. Sharice Davids\u2019 office for help. From there, Davids' office and the Goffs worked with the U.S. Army, the National Archives, and the Department of Defense to successfully get his awards back.\n\n\u201cJerry Goff said it was his goal to get them back so he could show his family. \u2018To show my grandchildren; I wanted them to see what I did, and sometime when I go, they can have them and they can say, \u2018Hey, this is what my grandpa did,\u2019\u2019 Goff said.\n\n[\u2026]\n\n\u201c\u2018I feel honored to get the chance to do this with you,\u2019 she said. \u2018We worked really hard to recover Mr. Goff\u2019s missing medals.\u2019\n\n\u201c[Goff told Davids], \u2018Thank you for all you\u2019ve done. I reached out to the VA over a year ago, but could never get anywhere, but you in 45 days got what I couldn\u2019t get in over a year.\u2019\n\n[\u2026]\n\n\u201cDavids said it\u2019s the constituent services that she\u2019s recently focused on, closing 1,600 cases, from missing tax filings to delayed passports. \u2018We put that really at the top of our priority list,\u2019 she said.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-discusses-support-small-businesses-kc-area-entrepreneurs", "Davids Discusses Support for Small Businesses with KC Area Entrepreneurs", "2024-03-14", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "KANSAS CITY, MO\u2013 Today, Representative Sharice Davids joined Kansas City area business leaders, Entrepreneurial Support Organizations (ESOs), and lenders to learn more about the challenges facing local entrepreneurs. Alongside the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and Kauffman Center, Davids shared more about her work to support the region\u2019s bustling small business community. Davids, a member of the U.S. House Small Business Committee, remains committed to leveraging the decline in unemployment and increase in small business applications to lower costs for Kansas businesses and families.\n\n\u201cOur region\u2019s small businesses are at the heart of our communities, and I value the opportunity to gather with them to learn more about their challenges and successes,\u201d said Davids. \u201cDespite recent economic progress with record job creation and increased small business applications, there\u2019s still more work needed to get prices back down for both businesses and families. Through my role on the U.S. House Small Business Committee, I\u2019ll continue standing up for our local entrepreneurs, so they can support our economy, their families, and their employees.\"\n\n\"This roundtable conversation with Congresswoman Davids could not have come at a better time, as the KC Chamber is currently in the middle of our annual Small Business Celebration, which is recognized as one of the largest Chamber small business celebrations in the United States,\u201d said Joe Reardon, President & CEO, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. \u201cA major component of our work with small businesses is the Chamber's Access to Capital task force whose work aims to break down systemic barriers to economic growth in our historically underrepresented communities by connecting bankers with entrepreneurial support organizations and small business owners. This work takes time and intention, and together with our strategic partners and elected leaders like Congresswoman Davids, we\u2019ll undoubtedly achieve significant gains in resolving the inequities in banking for a more inclusive future.\"\n\nDuring today\u2019s roundtable discussion, business owners spoke on their success rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic and continued challenges such as access to capital, workforce retention, and supply costs. Businesses from Kansas\u2019 Third District taking part in today\u2019s discussion include Happy Camper Montessori School, which Davids visited last year, along with Villalobos Vitality LLC, PLEX Capital, Quality Framing Services, DLH Child Development Center, Jason Wright Electric, and Green Line WX, LLC.\n\nDavids, who previously released a report on recent local small business growth, also shared what she is doing in Congress to support that growth. This includes voting to strengthen domestic supply chains and introducing legislation to support veteran and Native American business owners \u2014 both bills that have recently passed the U.S. House. Key findings include:\n\nIn 2021, 10,600 new business applications were filed in Kansas\u2019 Third District, an increase of around 7,500 since 2019.\n\nThe Kansas Small Business Development Center served 1,203 clients in 2021, leading to $49 million in annual sales, 876 jobs created, and 24 new businesses.\n\nIn 2021, small businesses made up 92.2 percent of all employers in Kansas\u2019 Third District, with 16,173 small businesses employing 175,911 people.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-celebrates-bipartisan-infrastructure-law-grant-help-kansas-install", "Davids Celebrates Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Grant to Help Kansas Install Energy Efficient Street Lighting", "2024-03-11", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids celebrated a new U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant for the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC). The $1.9 million award will help local governments replace traffic signals and street lighting with new energy efficient technology. Davids was the only member of Kansas\u2019 congressional delegation to vote for the bipartisan infrastructure law, which created this award.\n\n\u201cI voted for the bipartisan infrastructure law to modernize Kansas\u2019 infrastructure, ensuring it lasts for many generations to come,\u201d said Davids. \u201cThis new grant from that law will help cities and local governments update their traffic signals and streetlights, cutting both energy use and future maintenance costs.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis funding will play a key role in facilitating much-needed energy infrastructure improvements in rural Kansas communities,\u201d said Governor Laura Kelly. \u201cBy updating traffic signals and street lighting with modern, efficient technology, we\u2019re building safer and more cost-effective Kansas cities.\u201d\n\n\u201cMany publicly owned facilities in Kansas communities are aging and inefficient, incurring high costs for energy and maintenance,\u201d said Rick Pemberton, KCC Energy Division Director. \u201cBy replacing streetlights and traffic signals with more energy efficient lighting, local governments have the opportunity to significantly cut energy use and maintenance costs while improving light quality and output for their residents.\u201d\n\nThe award is sponsored by DOE\u2019s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program, which helps local governments decrease energy use, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency. The KCC will prioritize awards to rural, underserved, and disadvantaged communities. Many publicly owned technologies in these communities are outdated, burdening residents with high costs for energy and maintenance. Replacement of streetlights and traffic signals with more energy efficient lighting can significantly cut energy use and maintenance costs while improving light quality and public safety.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-statement-state-union-address-0", "Davids Statement on the State of the Union Address", "2024-03-07", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Representative Sharice Davids issued the following statement after President Biden delivered his State of the Union address:\n\n\u201cTonight, I was looking for President Biden to share his plan for tackling the greatest challenges, both at home and abroad, that impact hardworking Kansans and our nation. Kansans are frustrated with Washington and are demanding solutions over partisanship. Republicans and Democrats working together is the only way forward, and I was glad to hear the President\u2019s commitment to bipartisan cooperation. I\u2019ll hold him to that promise.\n\n\u201cAlthough I did not agree with everything the President said, I appreciate his attention to lowering the cost of groceries and prescription drugs for Kansas families, defending reproductive freedoms and our democracy, and protecting Social Security and Medicare. Also, safeguarding our nation\u2019s security requires a humane and just end to conflicts abroad, along with bolstering America's competitiveness against countries like China and securing our southern border \u2014 priorities mentioned tonight that I\u2019ll continue working toward in a bipartisan manner.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/passed-davids-secures-federal-investment-14-local-projects-kansas-third", "PASSED: Davids Secures Federal Investment for 14 Local Projects in the Kansas Third", "2024-03-06", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Image\n\nMarch 6, 2024\n\nProjects included in bipartisan funding package needed to avert a shutdown\n\nToday, Representative Sharice Davids announced that $14.8 million is coming to the Third District of Kansas to benefit local projects. If accepted by local recipients, the projects will help purchase new law enforcement training vehicles, modernize a bridge that connects Kansas and Missouri, improve water access during extreme weather, and more. Out of hundreds of bipartisan submissions, 14 Davids-requested projects were passed by the U.S. House of Representatives today as part of a broader bipartisan government funding bill. The president is expected to sign the projects into law this week.\n\n\u201cMy job is to advocate for the Third District in Washington and make sure the priorities of folks in our community are being addressed,\u201d said Davids. \u201cOur team worked in tandem with local officials and conducted detailed reviews of each proposal to ensure they met strong standards with a high return on investment. I\u2019ve long fought for responsible budget policies that protect taxpayers, and these investments maintain that commitment to fiscal responsibility while making a difference for Kansas.\u201d\n\nThese 14 projects were included in the bipartisan government funding package that funds six federal agencies and averts a partial government shutdown this Friday. Davids has consistently called for a bipartisan, commonsense solution that keeps our government open for the long term and protects Kansans\u2019 ability to support their families. Before March 22, Congress must pass an additional government funding package to fund six other federal agencies.\n\n\u201cSince coming to Congress, it\u2019s been my mission to ensure the federal government actually works as it\u2019s intended and makes life easier for Kansans,\u201d said Davids. \u201cWhile it took longer than I\u2019d have hoped, Republicans and Democrats have united behind legislation that keeps our government open, lowers costs for hardworking Kansans, creates good-paying jobs, protects women\u2019s rights, honors our commitments to veterans, and confronts the climate crisis. I urge Congressional leadership to continue negotiating in a bipartisan manner on the additional funding bills needed to avert a costly shutdown.\u201d\n\nEach of the 14 Davids-requested projects were submitted in tandem with local officials and selected for their potential to improve health and safety in the community, bring economic opportunity to the Third District, and tackle climate change. Appropriations requests are subject to strict transparency and accountability rules, which can be found here.\n\nRead more about how each project will improve lives in our community, if accepted by local recipients:\n\nRoads and Bridges\n\nThe Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City was awarded $3,500,000 towards a complete reconstruction of the Kansas Avenue Bridge, which connects Kansas and Missouri and supports 8,000 daily trips. The project will reconnect the two states using modern streetscapes with improved pedestrian, bicycle, and ADA accommodations.\n\nThis was a joint request with Representative Jake LaTurner (R-KS-02).\n\nThe City of Overland Park was awarded $1,466,279 toreconfigure 82nd Street at Metcalf Blvd. with a traffic signal and small park. The project will allow for safer travel through the Metcalf corridor for vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. The project will help the roadway match the City's Vision Metcalf Plan to address aging infrastructure along Metcalf Avenue.\n\nThe City of Leawood was awarded $500,000 to raise an important roadway above the floodplain, reducing emergency response times and enhancing the safety of Leadwood citizens. Bike lanes and two pedestrian crossings will also be added along the road, which houses the current Justice Center and a future fire department facility.\n\nThe City of Mission was awarded $850,000 to make roadway improvements that include pavement reconstruction, curb and gutter replacement, and the installation of new sidewalks and streetlights. These improvements, which will enhance safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists traveling through the Foxridge corridor, also include a new stormwater system to address flooding.\n\nPublic Safety\n\nJohnson County Community College\u2019s Johnson County Regional Police Academy was awarded $150,000 to help purchase three law enforcement training vehicles for their Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center. Recruits will utilize these vehicles to enhance their training opportunities, allowing for the rehearsal of more realistic traffic stop and driving scenarios.\n\nThe City of Overland Park was awarded $850,000 to update 190 traffic signal controllers that are too old for future maintenance. This project would improve safety for drivers and help ensure the city\u2019s systems are less susceptible to cyber threats. The City's current traffic signal controllers, which conduct real-time road traffic control, are too outdated for upgrades, posing safety risks for the essential daily commutes of Kansans.\n\nWater\n\nJohnson County Wastewater was awarded $1,509,000 to relocate, modify, and protect sanitary sewage lines along Highway US-69. The project, identified as a necessity by the Kansas Department of Transportation, will address safety and congestion issues that have been identified along Highway US 69 for the past 25 years.\n\nThe City of Edgerton was awarded $959,752 to install 2,000 feet of new sewage pipe, which is a project that has stalled due to high-cost hurdles and the intersection of a water way, rail line, and high-pressure gas pipeline. The project will pave the way for population growth and continued success at logistic Park Kansas City, which already generates about 3.4 percent of the entire state's economic output.\n\nThe City of Olathe was awarded $791,000 toreplace the existing generator at the Renner Water Pump Station, making the facility compliant with modern electrical, building, and safety code requirements. The current generator, which is required to provide reliable standby power during extreme weather events, is at the end of its service life and spare parts are no longer available for repairs.\n\nThe City of Olathe was awarded $959,752 to install backup generators at two of the City's underground water wells, providing necessary risk mitigation during extreme weather events. Currently, if power is lost, the City loses almost half of its water capacity, as two of the four wells do not have backup capabilities.\n\nThe City of Gardner was awarded $850,000 to construct new underground water pipes that move wastewater to the water treatment facility. Gardner has the highest projected growth rate in Johnson County through 2030 and this project will ensure the City\u2019s water infrastructure can keep up with projected population growth.\n\nThe City of De Soto was awarded $959,752 to replace aging equipment at the City\u2019s water treatment plant, which will soon support the largest economic development project in the state of Kansas, the Panasonic EV Battery plant. The project will also ensure the plant meets safety standards when supporting more than 9,300 new acres of development.\n\nThe City of Garnett was awarded $959,752 to help construct a new water treatment plant that will provide safe, reliable, and affordable drinking water to 3,400 Kansans. The current plant, constructed in the 1930's, no longer meets regulatory guidelines. Without construction of a new plant, the City may cease water treatment and be forced to truck it from more than 28 miles away.\n\nThe City of De Soto was awarded $500,000 to build a new water tower, a crucial component for supporting the upcoming Panasonic EV battery plant and managing water flow across the 9,300 acres of new development. The new tower, in conjunction with the existing Astra Water Tower, will also provide fire protection for billions of dollars in government and private investment.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-bring-veteran-small-business-owner-state-union-address", "Davids to Bring Veteran Small Business Owner to State of the Union Address", "2024-03-05", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced that she will be joined by Brian Newton, a veteran and small business owner from Kansas City, KS, at the State of the Union address. After returning home from service, Newton faced multiple challenges in reacclimating to society and starting a business. Since then, he has found success in Morty\u2019s, a food cart and catering business specializing in Italian beef sandwiches and Vienna Beef Chicago-style hot dogs.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m excited to have Brian join me at the State of the Union. As the daughter of a veteran, I have always said that because of their sense of service and dedication, there are few people better situated to become entrepreneurs than our nation\u2019s veterans. That\u2019s certainly true for Brian,\u201d said Davids. \u201cAfter all that our service members and veterans have done for us, we must have their backs. I\u2019m working in Congress to ensure Kansas veterans like Brian have nothing less than the quality health care, services, and access to jobs that they\u2019ve earned.\u201d\n\n\u201cAfter completing my service and returning home, I struggled for many years to readapt to civilian life, particularly when starting a business,\u201d said Brian Newton, local veteran and owner of Morty\u2019s. \u201cAs veteran entrepreneurs play a crucial role in contributing to local economies across the country, we need our leaders to have our backs. I know Rep. Davids has mine and I\u2019m excited to attend the State of the Union address with her.\u201d\n\nNewton served in the military for 10 years, seven of which were overseas. After returning home, he struggled to integrate back into society and start a business, which he credits to a lack of support and knowledge of how our country\u2019s systems work. He then opened Morty\u2019s, a traveling Italian beef food cart. Due to high demand and after years of searching for space, Newton recently signed a long term lease for a brick-and-mortar location in Kansas City, KS, where he will soon open a restaurant for walk-up and delivery service.\n\nDavids previously visited Morty\u2019s after her bipartisan bill to support veteran entrepreneurs passed the U.S. House. Davids and Newton discussed the challenges Newton faced when starting a business and the successes he has since achieved.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/watch-davids-questions-us-secretary-usdas-efforts-lower-grocery-prices-kansans", "WATCH: Davids Questions U.S. Secretary on USDA\u2019s Efforts to Lower Grocery Prices for Kansans", "2024-03-04", "2024", "2024-03", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Recently, during a U.S. House Agriculture Committee hearing, Representative Sharice Davids asked U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack about the efforts being taken to secure agricultural supply chains and lower grocery costs. While our economy is experiencing record job creation, the cost of groceries remains high. To help lower those costs, Davids, who was named a \"Champion of the Shippers,\" has worked to shore up our domestic supply chains, which eases inflationary pressures for Kansans.\n\n\u201cStrengthening supply chains is important to all Americans, including Kansas farmers and producers who contribute to our state\u2019s largest economic engine,\u201d said Davids. \u201cDespite recent progress in strengthening our agriculture supply chains, grocery costs still must come down for hardworking families. I\u2019ll continue working with Secretary Vilsack and folks in Kansas to find solutions to lower prices and build an economy that works for everyone, especially for the middle- and working-classes.\u201d\n\nWATCH: Davids inquires about U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s efforts to lower grocery costs for Kansas families\n\nDavids previously worked a \"Sharice's Shift\" at a local Price Chopper, where she helped store employees unload deliveries from shipping trucks, stock grocery shelves, and bag groceries. She shared what she is doing in Congress to lower costs for hardworking Kansans and strengthen domestic supply chains, including by voting for the CHIPS and Science Act, which is bringing good-paying jobs to Kansas, lowering costs for consumers, and supporting workforce development.\n\nDavids\u2019 additional work to lower grocery costs and strengthen supply chains include:\n\nVoting to pass the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act to shore up the food and agriculture supply chain, assure fair competition in the meat and poultry sectors, and lower food and gasoline costs.\n\nHolding multipleroundtables with Kansas business, manufacturing, and technology leaders on how recent legislation to improve supply chains will help boost their businesses' financial security.\n\nCosponsoring the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, a new law aimed at addressing supply chain snags and reducing dependence on goods produced outside of the United States.\n\nMeeting with President Biden at the White House to urge him to pass a supply chain and economic package that invests in American manufacturing.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:32:04Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-bill-support-native-american-entrepreneurs-passes-house", "Davids\u2019 Bill to Support Native American Entrepreneurs Passes House", "2024-02-29", "2024", "2024-02", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids' bipartisan bill, known as the Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act, passed the U.S. House with strong bipartisan support. Davids, an enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk Nation and member of the U.S. House Small Business Committee, introduced this legislation alongside Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ-02) to enhance the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA). The bill now awaits passage in the Senate where it advanced out of committee last year.\n\n\"Our economy depends on the success of our small businesses. That\u2019s especially true in tribal communities where Native-owned businesses are crucial employers on reservations and their surrounding areas,\u201d said Davids. \u201cI\u2019m proud that my bill, which breaks down barriers for Native entrepreneurs, passed the House with strong bipartisan support, showing us all that support for Native communities goes beyond party lines.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhile tribal entrepreneurs should have the ability to access SBA\u2019s programs just like anyone else, these communities don\u2019t currently experience adequate access or outreach. It\u2019s essential that they receive specialized expertise to assist them in navigating the unique complexities of running a business on a reservation \u2014 complexities mostly created by the federal government,\u201d said Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ-02). \u201cAs the representative for over half of Arizona\u2019s tribes, I\u2019m pleased to see the House pass our bill, which would serve tribal citizens of AZ-02 well.\u201d\n\nWATCH: Davids speaks on the House floor about the importance of supporting Native entrepreneurs\n\nCurrently, the ONAA has a valuable but limited mission: to support Native American entrepreneurs, conduct outreach with tribal communities, and connect Native business owners with SBA resources. However, because the current SBA budget does not include explicit funding for the ONAA, the office can only support a small staff and can be unilaterally disbanded.\n\nThe Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act would codify the ONAA into federal law, establishing an Assistant Administrator role to oversee its operations and report directly to SBA leadership. It would also create a better government-to-government working relationship with tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. ONAA would also be able to expand its grant-making ability, conduct tribal consultation, utilize SBA's entrepreneurial and contracting programs, and provide training, counseling, and technical assistance.\n\n\u201cNative enterprises are vital to the economies for Native communities, which in turn, are necessary to provide critical community services,\u201d said Quinton Carroll, Executive Director, Native American Contractors Association. \u201cThe Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act will elevate the Office of Native American Affairs and support economic development and these services for Native communities.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act passed the House of Representatives because of the leadership and tireless efforts of Rep. Davids,\u201d said Chris James, President and CEO, The National Center. \u201cAs a former Associate Administrator at SBA, I understand the need for Indian Country to have an advocate within the agency who has a direct line to the Administrator. The unique economic and entrepreneurial needs of our community \u2013 and government-to-government consultation \u2013 must always be a priority at SBA. I look forward to working with Rep. Davids, House co-sponsors, and Senate champions to ensure this vital bipartisan legislation becomes law in 2024 so that, in years to come, Indian Country will have a seat at the head table in an agency that plays a critical role in boosting tribal economies.\u201d\n\n\u201cHo-Chunk Inc. applauds the passage of this important bi-partisan legislation, and commends Representative Davids\u2019 for her commitment to advancing it,\u201d said Annette Hamilton, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Ho-Chunk Inc. \u201cThe SBA Office of Native American Affairs is a critical partner to tribally-owned entities, and ensures that decisions made within the Administration are conducted with consultation and culturally-tailored solutions based on tribal sovereignty. Tribally-owned entities are essential economic drivers for tribal governments that have long been disadvantaged, so having a permanent position at SBA will serve to enhance continuity in the programs that have been so effective for members of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. We look forward to the instrumental role this office will serve.\u201d\n\n\u201cNavancio has seen firsthand how the SBA 8(a) program has supported the growth of Native American-owned businesses,\u201d said Navancio executive leadership. \u201cThe technical resources provided by the Office of Native American Affairs enable Navancio to not only provide high-value services to federal agencies but also ensure that Native American workers are provided with unique opportunities to enter into the high-skilled workforce. As an organization that has helped over helped numerous tribes break into high-skilled industries within the federal contracting space, we at Navancio applaud the House passage of the Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act, which will encourage Indian Small Business Economic Enterprise (ISBEE) companies like ours to better recruit Native American talent and promote economic development in tribal reservations. We stand with Representative Davids and urge the Senate to swiftly pass this vital legislation.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:21:00Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-statement-bipartisan-legislation-avoid-government-shutdown-0", "Davids Statement on Bipartisan Legislation to Avoid Government Shutdown", "2024-02-29", "2024", "2024-02", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, after voting for bipartisan legislation that averts a government shutdown, Representative Sharice Davids released the following statement calling for further bipartisan cooperation to keep the government open in the long term.\n\n\u201cThis bipartisan legislation averts a costly government shutdown that would have drastic consequences on Kansas families, small business owners, and our entire economy. I am encouraged that congressional leaders from both parties and chambers are coming together to find a commonsense solution that keeps our government open for the long term and protects Kansans\u2019 ability to support their families. Bipartisanship is the only way forward and I\u2019m committed to working with anyone to safeguard Kansans\u2019 jobs, health, and financial security.\u201d\n\nToday, the U.S. House of Representatives also passed legislation to extend the deadline to fully reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration, a main priority for Davids. She is working to help pass bipartisan legislation that improves customer protections and accessibility while flying, increases America\u2019s aviation safety standards, and strengthens domestic aviation workforce and manufacturing.\n\nBackground:\n\nFollowing today\u2019s passage of the continuing resolution (CR), U.S. House of Representative appropriators will negotiate six individual appropriation bills by March 8, followed by an additional six before March 22. Congressional leadership has affirmed that all 12 bills will adhere to the bipartisan spending limits agreed upon by Republicans and Democrats in both June 2023 and January 2024.\n\nDavids continues to push for a bipartisan agreement to keep the government open past the new deadlines set in today\u2019s legislation. A shutdown would have serious impacts on Kansas families and the overall U.S. economy. Americans would face disruptions to important benefits, service members would not be compensated, many small businesses would have to alter their operations, and federal workers would be furloughed and go unpaid. Specifically:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:21:00Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-davids-leads-congressional-trip-port-long-beach-see-how-securing-supply", "ICYMI: Davids Leads Congressional Trip to Port of Long Beach to See How Securing Supply Chains, Seizing Fentanyl Affects Kansans", "2024-02-27", "2024", "2024-02", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Last week, Representative Sharice Davids led a group of New Democrat Coalition (New Dems) members on a visit to the Port of Long Beach, one of the biggest and busiest ports in the country. The group saw how the port\u2019s efforts to clear COVID-19 backlogs have improved supply chains nationwide and helped lower costs for hardworking families and small businesses. Davids serves as a Vice Chair for the New Dems, one of the largest caucuses in the House of Representatives dedicated to advancing innovative, inclusive, and forward-looking policies through bipartisan collaboration.\n\n\u201cAs Vice Chair of the New Dems, I led a group of my colleagues on a visit to the Port of Long Beach to learn how the flow of goods there influences prices back home and to understand their efforts to address the fentanyl crisis,\u201d said Davids. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to port leadership, Customs and Border Patrol, and the longshoreman for showing us how they swiftly recovered from the effects of the pandemic and continue to strengthen our economy and national security. There\u2019s still more work needed to bring down costs and keep Kansans safe, so I\u2019m going to leverage what I learned at the port to make life more affordable, bolster our local workforce, and restore order at the border.\u201d\n\nOn the visit, Davids met with Port of Long Beach leadership, Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents, and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). The group discussed the recovery of national supply chains since the COVID-19 pandemic, how the port uses state-of-the-art technologies to get goods to market faster and prevent harmful substances \u2014 like fentanyl \u2014 from entering the country illegally, and how union workers have remained skilled and adaptable to strengthen supply chains.\n\nAs the nation's third-largest port, the Port of Long Beach's influence touches local economies nationwide. This visit will help Davids address the challenges faced by hardworking families in Kansas, with the insights gained guiding future efforts to lower costs and enhance economic opportunities at home. During the pandemic, the port saw massive logjams of container vessels due to climbing consumer sales, worker shortages, lack of truck drivers, and a slowdown of transportation hubs. Supply chains have strengthened as the amount of units moving through the port have begun to return to normal, easing economic pressures nationwide and helping to lower inflation.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:21:00Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/during-black-history-month-davids-highlights-solutions-black-maternal", "During Black History Month, Davids Highlights Solutions to Black Maternal Mortality Crisis", "2024-02-21", "2024", "2024-02", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, during Black History Month, Representative Sharice Davids joined local providers, health care advocates, and parents to discuss America's worsening maternal mortality crisis, specifically among women of color. Davids reaffirmed her support for increased research and attention to maternal health care and spoke on her legislation to improve data collection on maternal mortality and morbidity. Between 2016 and 2020, 105 Kansas women died while pregnant or within a year of pregnancy, with two-thirds of those deaths being women of color.\n\nThe United States is the only industrialized country with an increasing maternal mortality rate, and the crisis is most severe for people of color. Black mothers are dying at 3 to 4 times the rate of their white counterparts, and Native Americans are more than twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes. According to NurtureKC, this trend holds true for Kansas. Wyandotte County in particular has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the state at 83.5 deaths per 10,000 live births.\n\n\u201cThe U.S. is falling desperately short on the issue of maternal health, and frankly, it is shameful \u2014 but we can\u2019t fix a problem we don\u2019t fully understand,\u201d said Davids. \u201cI\u2019m grateful to have the opportunity to listen and learn from Kansas physicians and mothers who are on the front lines of this crisis. Through conversations like the one we had today and legislation like my Data to Save Moms Act, we can take informed action and ultimately save lives.\u201d\n\n\"Kansas has one of the highest Black maternal mortality rates in the first 42 days postpartum,\u201d said Dr. Sharla Smith, Founder and Director, Kansas Birth Equity Network. \u201cRep. Sharice Davids was instrumental in allocating more than 2 million dollars to address these disparities. Community conversations are useful for identifying additional strategies to reduce these disparities.\"\n\nAt today\u2019s event, Davids received a tour of Vibrant Health and led a conversation with health care professionals and Kansas mothers. Attendees included the Kansas Birth Equity Network, Kansas Maternal Mortality Review Committee, University of Kansas Medical Center, Nuture KC, and Dope Dads KCK. The group discussed maternal health trends in Kansas, impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal care, and supports needed from the federal government to help fight maternal morbidity.\n\nLast year, Davids reintroduced legislation, known as the Data to Save Moms Act, to understand the root causes of this emergency by improving data collection on maternal mortality and morbidity. Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs) \u2014 consisting of various experts such as gynecologists, forensic pathologists, and community groups \u2014 operate in states and localities across the country to examine cases of death within a year of pregnancy. This legislation aims to improve their data collection and broaden the scope of maternal health research by:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:21:00Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-highlights-support-minority-farmers-during-black-history-month", "Davids Highlights Support for Minority Farmers during Black History Month", "2024-02-20", "2024", "2024-02", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "SHAWNEE, KS \u2013 Today, Representative Sharice Davids visited an urban farm in Shawnee to speak with minority farmers during Black History Month. The group discusses certain U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs that help connect underserved producers to capital assistance and other resources \u2014 ultimately to increase the number of minority-owned and operated agribusinesses in Kansas. Davids, a member of the U.S. House Agricultural Committee, is currently working to craft a bipartisan Farm Bill that supports all Kansas farmers, producers, and ranchers.\n\n\u201cKansas is leading the nation in agriculture and that would not be possible without the contributions of local minority-owned agribusinesses,\u201d said Davids. \u201cAs we celebrate Black History Month, I enjoyed visiting Adams Urban Farm, a Black-owned operation, to learn more about the successes and challenges facing historically underserved farmers and ranchers in the Kansas Third. Empowering and uplifting Kansas\u2019 diverse agricultural community is crucial for a more inclusive and prosperous future, and I am committed to championing that cause in Congress.\"\n\n\"We are delighted to further foster our collaboration with Representative Davids,\u201d said JohnElla Holmes, PhD, CEO/President, Kansas Black Farmers Association. \u201cWe sincerely value her dedication to actively engage with BIPOC farmers, listening to our concerns and championing our cause. Her visit to one of our urban farms is a testament to her commitment, an honor we deeply cherish. We commend her hands-on approach and tireless endeavor to identify ways to support our community.\"\n\nDavids visited Adams Urban Farm, a black-owned agribusiness in Johnson County, and held a discussion with additional minority farmers to discuss their successes and challenges and how she can best serve them in Congress. Davids spoke on her continued support for USDA\u2019s multiple programs benefiting historically underserved farmers and ranchers.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:21:00Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-statement-super-bowl-parade-shooting", "Davids Statement on Super Bowl Parade Shooting", "2024-02-14", "2024", "2024-02", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Representative Sharice Davids issued the below statement following a shooting incident at today\u2019s Super Bowl parade in Kansas City, MO:\n\n\u201cWords cannot describe the pain and shock we\u2019re feeling as a joyous day turned into tragedy right in our community. My heart is with the victims\u2019 families, and I pray for the quick recovery of those injured. I appreciate the bravery and coordination of the law enforcement officers, first responders, and health care workers for ensuring a swift, orderly evacuation and caring for the victims. Though our community stands together in the present, the traumatic memories of today will stick with children, families, and community members for far too long. This does not reflect the spirit of Kansas City, and I support those asking for a change to ensure a brighter and safer future.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:21:00Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-delivers-valentines-veterans-lenexa-va-0", "Davids Delivers Valentine\u2019s for Veterans at Lenexa VA", "2024-02-12", "2024", "2024-02", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "LENEXA, KS \u2013 Today, Representative Sharice Davids delivered Valentine\u2019s Day cards at the Lenexa VA as part of her 6th annual \u201cValentine\u2019s for Veterans\u201d program. After calling for community submissions, Davids\u2019 team received more than 100 cards from all corners of Kansas\u2019 Third District. Davids, whose mother served in the Army for 20 years, also highlighted the support available to Kansas City-area veterans through her office.\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s an honor to once again deliver valentine\u2019s cards to veterans, their families, and caregivers in our community,\u201d said Davids. \u201cAs the daughter of a veteran, I understand firsthand the sacrifice our veterans make while serving our country. The Valentine\u2019s for Veterans program is one small, yet personal way we can show our appreciation for those who have worked to keep us safe. I\u2019m thankful for the Kansans who participated and look forward to next year\u2019s program.\u201d\n\nDavids, whose mother served in the U.S. Army for 20 years, has worked hard to ensure Kansas veterans are supported after returning home from active duty. A bill she led with Representative Mark Alford, aimed at supporting veteran small business owners, received broad bipartisan support when it passed the U.S. House last year. She also helped pass the Honoring our PACT Act, which expands Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) health care eligibility to 3.5 million American veterans exposed to burn pits and toxic airborne hazards while deployed.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:21:00Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-requests-41-million-savings-kansas-water-contracts", "Davids Requests $41 Million Savings for Kansas Water Contracts", "2024-02-08", "2024", "2024-02", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced she requested a simple language change to this year\u2019s annual water resource bill to save the State of Kansas more than $41 million. The specific request, made in the 2024 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), changes how the interest is calculated on two of Kansas\u2019 water storage contracts with the federal government. Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Water Office previously advocated for Davids to make this request.\n\n\u201cMy request to this year\u2019s water resources bill would provide economic relief for our state and secure a more dependable and affordable water supply, a lifeline for communities across Kansas in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns,\u201d said Davids. \u201cWith the precedent of a similar amendment being accepted for El Dorado Lake in 2022, I am optimistic that history will repeat itself this year, saving Kansas $41 million. I am proud to join Governor Kelly and Kansas\u2019 Water Office in ensuring responsible use of taxpayer dollars.\u201d\n\nCurrently, the State of Kansas leases water from the federal government for storage use, but the interest payments on those loans are calculated using compound interest, which makes debt grow faster. Davids\u2019 request would change the interest rate calculation for two water supply storage contracts \u2014 Milford and Perry Lakes \u2014 to simple interest, which is computed annually based on the balance at the start of the period. This request would save Kansas more than $41 million in total interest payments. An identical request was granted in the 2022 WRDA for Kansas\u2019 contract of El Dorado Lake.\n\n\u201cLowering the interest rates on these debts for Milford and Perry Lakes would save Kansas taxpayers more than $41 million and benefit the communities and business depending on these reservoirs,\u201d said KansasGovernor Laura Kelly. \u201cPaying off this debt secures a reliable, more affordable water supply for years to come, which is crucial as we continue to address Kansas\u2019 water crisis. I commend Representative Davids for supporting this request.\u201d\n\n\u201cKansans stand to benefit tremendously from the lower interest rates on these future use storage contract debts for Milford and Perry Lakes, saving millions of taxpayer dollars while further securing a much-needed long-term water supply,\u201d said Connie Owen, Director, Kansas Water Office. \u201cThe Kansas Water Office appreciates Rep. Davids\u2019 continued advocacy for Kansas through this WRDA request which would put our state\u2019s reservoir water supply on solid footing for years to come.\u201d\n\nThis request would provide financial relief not only for the State, but also for municipalities, industries, businesses, and water supply districts that utilize this water storage currently or in the future. Paying off this debt secures a reliable and more affordable water supply for residents and businesses for years to come, which is especially important as we face continued drought and extreme weather. Entities within Kansas\u2019 Third District with current contracts for water supply storage at Milford and Perry Lakes include the Cities of Olathe, Bonner Springs, DeSoto, as well as WaterOne and Evergy.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:21:00Z"], ["https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases/davids-announces-federal-grants-improve-airport-infrastructure-kansas-third-0", "Davids Announces Federal Grants to Improve Airport Infrastructure in Kansas\u2019 Third District", "2024-02-07", "2024", "2024-02", "Democrat", "House", "KS", "Sharice Davids", "D000629", "davids.house.gov", "davids", "https://davids.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has granted $964,000 to two local airports to modernize airport infrastructure, improve runway safety, and create good-paying jobs. The awards stem from DOT\u2019s Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG), which were created by the bipartisan infrastructure law. Davids, a member of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, is the only member of the Kansas delegation to vote for the law.\n\n\"When we make targeted investments in local infrastructure, our communities become safer, more efficient, and better equipped to handle future economic development and job growth,\" said Davids. \"Our community is located in the middle of the country, so we are perfectly situated to be a national leader in shipping and logistics, which improves domestic supply chains and lowers costs for Kansas families and businesses. These new investments to improve aging airport infrastructure will help ensure we can continue to move goods and ensure Kansans are safe while flying.\"\n\nIn the past decade, inconsistent funding has prohibited the timely modernization of airspace technology and infrastructure. These awards will help reverse that trend so American air travel remains the safest and most efficient in the world. To date, Kansas has received approximately $58.1 million for airports from the bipartisan infrastructure law. In Kansas' Third District, the new AIG awards have been granted to:\n\nNew Century Airport, Olathe: $851,000\n\nMiami County Airport, Paola: $113,000\n\n\u201cIn 2023, New Century AirCenter set a record number of aircraft operations,\u201d said Mike Kelly, Chairman, Johnson County Board of County Commissioners. \u201cThese funds will help support needed runway improvements and this work will ensure that we can continue to provide excellent service at New Century well into the future. We are appreciative of Rep. Davids\u2019 support in prioritizing these projects.\u201d\n\n\u201cMiami County is pleased to receive $696,627 of FAA grant funds and BIL grant funds,\u201d said Shane Krull, County Administrator, Miami County. \u201cThe money will allow for crack sealing, seal coat application, and restriping the primary runway. Additionally, the money will allow for rehabilitation of the apron adjacent to the terminal building. Miami County is providing a 10-percent local grant match for the project. The support of Representative Sharice Davids, local FAA Central Office staff, and Brian Coomes of Olsson Engineering is instrumental in Miami County, Kansas receiving funds to improve the local airport.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T20:21:00Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 117, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Democrat", "p1": "KS", "p2": "2024"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=KS&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "Democrat", "label": "Democrat", "count": 117, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=KS&year=2024", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=KS&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 117, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=KS&year=2024&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=KS&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "KS", "label": "KS", "count": 117, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&year=2024", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=KS&year=2024", "results": [{"value": "2024", "label": "2024", "count": 117, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=KS", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2024-02-07,https~3A~2F~2Fdavids~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fpress-releases~2Fdavids-announces-federal-grants-improve-airport-infrastructure-kansas-third-0", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Democrat&state=KS&year=2024&_next=2024-02-07%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fdavids~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia~2Fpress-releases~2Fdavids-announces-federal-grants-improve-airport-infrastructure-kansas-third-0&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 103.95196406170726, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}