Hi John.

It’s clear that Congress has to do a better job of protecting taxpayers and stopping wasteful spending. That goes for both sides of the aisle, which is why it’s important to stand up even when I disagree with my own party.

I know many Kansans are concerned about this issue, especially after both parties passed emergency measures to address the pandemic. So today, I wanted to share an update about how I’m pushing for more fiscal responsibility. Please feel free to forward this update to anyone you know!

First, this important work begins by honoring a core principle – Pay-As-You-Go, or PAYGO. This is a rule that says if you propose a new program, it has to be paid for. That means cutting other spending or new revenue. But we can’t just keep adding our nation’s debt.

That’s why one of my first actions in the House was standing up to leaders in my party and pushing them to honor PAYGO. And when my party’s leaders later tried to rush a vote to waive the PAYGO rule, I voted against them.

Balancing our budget requires pragmatism – not extremism. No one should have to accept the false or self-defeating choice that we have to balance our budget on the backs of the middle class – including by cutting Social Security, Medicare, or investments in our economy.

I know good ideas can come from Republicans and Democrats. There are more steps we can take to protect taxpayers, and we can do this in a bipartisan way.

That’s why on the Small Business Committee, I worked with Republicans and Democrats to stop abuse in pandemic relief programs.

I’m pleased to share that our bipartisan bills to crack down on waste, fraud, and abuse were recently signed into law.

Some initiatives, like the Paycheck Protection Program, were incredibly valuable in the pandemic. They kept many local businesses afloat and workers on the job. Unfortunately, we also saw clear abuses that have to be addressed.

For example, nearly $1 million in fraudulent Economic Injury Disaster Loans were taken out in the names of Johnson County residents last year. I called on the SBA to investigate these claims and hold victims blameless. I also pressed the Small Business Administration’s Inspector General to do more to combat identity theft.

The bipartisan PPP and Bank Fraud Enforcement Harmonization Act, and the COVID-19 EIDL Fraud Statute of Limitations Act, will target this kind of fraud. They ensure law enforcement has the time and resources to investigate pandemic relief fraud cases. Both are now law and ensure the statute of limitations doesn’t hamstring investigations.

As the Chair of the Small Business Subcommittee on Economic Growth, I’ve been glad to work with Republicans and Democrats to support our local small businesses and stop fraud. For instance, I was glad to work with Republican Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer from Missouri to pass the COVID-19 EIDL Statute of Limitations Act into law so we can protect taxpayers and ensure small businesses who need assistance get the support they need.

I also joined with 60 Republicans and Democrats in a bipartisan effort to help get our debt under control, and supported the bipartisan RIIDE Act to stop wasteful spending at government agencies.

There are common sense and bipartisan ways to address our debt and stop wasteful spending. But what we can’t do is accept the false and self-defeating choice that we have to balance our budget on the backs of the middle class.

Some politicians have introduced extreme plans that gut Social Security, Medicare, and other investments in our economy in the name of fiscal responsibility. Balancing our budget requires pragmatism – not extremism. I will not stand idly by while some try to use this as an excuse to undermine the middle class or our economy. The last thing anyone needs now is more extremism, division, and empty promises.

I was raised by a single mom and worked my way through college while juggling multiple jobs. I know what it means to struggle while Washington seems out of touch. I’m serving in the U.S. House of Representatives to bring a new generation of leadership to Washington. I’ll always work with anyone in either party who has a good idea for Kansas.

My job is to serve you, regardless of party. In fact, in case you missed it earlier, our team is holding a Pop Up office tomorrow in Spring Hill from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM. If you’re having issues with Social Security, Medicare, veterans’ benefits, passports, or another federal agency, we’ll do everything we can to help you.

Please click here to learn more and schedule a 15 minute appointment with our team to get help now. And if you can’t make it, you can always call us in Overland Park at (913) 621-0832 or in KCK at (913) 766-3993.

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

My warmest regards,

Sharice L. Davids
Member of Congress

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