Reflections on 2015

Statement

Dear Loyal Supporter:

Each year as the end of the year approaches, I try to reflect back on what we have accomplished and what I must work harder to achieve in the New Year.

As my first year as Ranking Member of the House Financial Services, Housing and Insurance Subcommittee comes to an end, I am proud of what we have accomplished on the committee and in Congress as a whole. With a strong bipartisan approach, we have been able to focus on common ground, all the while strengthening our economy for the working class and further protecting housing opportunities for all Americans.

The President just signed into law the 2016 budget bill, which included $22.5 million for police body cameras. In January 2015 I wrote to President Obama, urging the President to secure funding for body cameras and community policing.
We also passed in Congress H.Res.295, a resolution sponsored by myself and Congressman Al Green (TX-9), to support local law enforcement agencies' use of body-worn cameras. Additional original cosponsors for this bipartisan resolution included Missouri Congressmen Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) and my neighbor and friend Kevin Yoder (KS-3).
We passed in the Financial Services Committee The Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act, bipartisan legislation I helped author along with Missouri Congressmen Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3). This is a comprehensive housing bill that makes long needed changes to public housing and Section 8 rental assistance programs, as well as programs within the Federal Housing Authority and Rural Housing Services. This bill, among many things, contains provisions that streamline the inspection and income review process for families living in public housing.
Earlier this year, after making the goal of closing the digital divide in the 5th District one of my top priorities, I was thrilled to announce that President Obama, in coordination with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julian Castro, chose Kansas City to participate in the ConnectHome digital inclusion program. This initiative aims to increase broadband access for children and families living in HUD-assisted housing. In a letter sent to Secretary Castro in early May 2015, I urged Secretary Castro to select Kansas City, Missouri, as one of the demonstration project cities. Additionally, I also asked Secretary Castro to include an innovative directive to allow housing agencies to treat internet services as a utility, and as a result, public housing agencies are now able to apply for waivers and therefore treat internet costs like a utility.
On July 20, 2015, it was a proud moment to honor the legacy of all of those brave soldiers from the Kansas City region who have sacrificed so much for our great country when, Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, announced the naming of the USS Kansas City. Last year I was happy to advocate that Kansas City be considered as a name for one of the potential ships.
After a personal conversation with the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), I was pleased to announce that the CFPB would propose changes to existing mortgage rules to promote responsible lending by small creditors, especially in our rural and underserved areas. I began advocating for changes in 2013 following conversations with rural bankers from my District in Missouri's Lafayette, Ray and Saline Counties. The changes announced by the CFPB are designed to protect smaller institutions that play a vital role in serving rural customers in Missouri's 5th District and throughout rural America.
Most recently, I have double downed on my push for civility among politicians in Washington and have continued weekly civility communications with colleagues and constituents through my "#CivilityFridays" social media campaign, regular "Dear Colleague" letters promoting congressional civility, and frequent addresses to fellow Members of Congress on the House Floor.
2015 also saw historic progressive victories in the Supreme Court with the rulings in favor of marriage equality and the Affordable Care Act, which reminds us of the impact the Supreme Court, can have on the everyday lives of our family and friends.

However, we all know there is so much more work to do. We need to continue the work on climate change, creating more renewable and clean energy sources, and Congress must focus on strengthening working families and investing in our nation's crumbling transportation infrastructure. And once again, developing economic opportunities and job creation while reducing income inequality must be a top priority.

Ultimately, we have a lot to be proud of as we approach the close of 2015, but make no mistake, we will need to work harder for what we seek to accomplish next year. 2016 will be an important year, from the Presidential election, on down. As we approach next year's election, I will need your help every single step of the way. I hope you will join me.

Happy New Year and thank you for your continuing support.

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