Hi John. I hope you and your family are well!

I understand many people are frustrated with Washington these days. Politics in our nation's capitol can be especially grating at this time of year as many come together to celebrate the holidays. People need solutions to the challenges they face, not more partisanship.

But despite the noise in Washington, I know it’s still possible to make a difference. So today, I wanted to share some good news.

The House of Representatives recently passed the bipartisan SERV Act. I introduced this bill with my Republican colleague from Missouri, Mark Alford. Our bill helps veterans who are small business owners succeed in our economy.

Please click here to learn more about our bipartisan bill on KCUR and hear how it makes a difference.

Representative Alford and I may not agree on every issue, but our bipartisan bill is an example of what’s possible when people of good faith in both parties work together.

Military experience provides useful entrepreneurial training and skills. Unfortunately, over the years, the number of veterans who start new businesses has declined drastically.

About 50 percent of World War II veterans went on to operate a business after their service. Around 40 percent of Korean War veterans did the same. But only 4.5 percent of the more than 3.6 million veterans who've served since 9/11 have launched a new company.

Our bipartisan bill would help change that. It insists on greater efficiency and transparency in existing Small Business Administration (SBA) programs.

The SBA has several initiatives to help veterans become successful entrepreneurs, but many veterans don't know what kind of help exists or even how to even get started. Our bill requires the SBA to form an action plan to reach out to veterans to connect them with help.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with Brian Newton, a local veteran and owner of Morty’s food cart in Roeland Park. Brian shared with me how he struggled for years with transitioning back into civilian life and didn’t know where to turn for help. Brian’s story and so many like his are exactly why I’m pushing to pass the bipartisan SERV Act into law.

My mom served in the U.S. Army for 20 years. I learned so much about service, sacrifice, and dedication to country through her. We must have our veterans’ backs.

If you or someone you know is a veteran who needs assistance with starting a new business, please know that help is available.

Click here to learn more about the SBA’s Veteran’s Business Outreach Center initiative to learn more.

Moreover, please know that my team is here to help local veterans however we can. Here are some other resources that can help:

• Help for Veterans: My office’s web page to help veterans who are having issues with the federal government.

• Assistance for Small Businesses: Our page to connect local entrepreneurs with assistance.

• Lower Costs: Veterans, and anyone else, can use our page to find free and publicly available resources to help with groceries, gas, housing, health care and more.

We’re here to serve our local veterans however we can.

It’s an honor to serve you and your family. My job is to serve every person and corner of our community, regardless of party. Whether we agree on every issue or not is beside the point. Everyone deserves a government that works for them – not just for special interests, big corporations, or the extremes of either party.

If you have any questions or would like to share your concerns, feel free to contact me.

My warmest regards,

Sharice L. Davids
Member of Congress

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