Four Area Reps Want Congressional Debate Before Syrian Strike August 29, 2013

Four members of the Kansas and Missouri Congressional delegations have signed a letter to President Obama calling for Congressional debate before any military strike against Syria.
The four are Rep. Kevin Yoder Ks-3. (Johnson & Wyandotte County in suburban Kansas City); Rep. Lynn Jenkins Ks-2 (Eastern Kansas); Rep. Billy Long Mo-7 (SW Missouri); Rep. Jason Smith Mo-8 (SE Missouri).
The letters says “Engaging our military when no direct threat to the United states exists,” violates the conditions of the use of military force under the War Powers Resolution of 1973, according to the letter.
More than 100 members of Congress, including 18 Democrats, signed the letter to Obama.
It says if the president thinks military action is necessary, Congress can reconvene quickly at his request for a debate.
The letters says Congress is “willing to share the burden of decisions” that may be needed in what the Representatives call ‘the quickly escalating Syrian conflict”.

Jenkins Opposes Syria Strike, Wants Obama to Get Congressional Approval 1st August 28, 2013

East Kansas Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins opposes any military strike against the Syrian government at this time.
“While the recent chemical attack on Syrian citizens is an atrocious crime, it is still unclear who is on the other side of this conflict,” Jenkins said in a statement Wednesday.
Jenkins does not trust some of the elements involved in the rebellion against the Damascus government.
She is worried some rebels are “infected with Al Qaeda”.
The Kansas Republican says at this point, because of those questions, the US should not choose sides in the Syrian Civil War.
Jenkins says no vital US interest at stake.
“There is no immediate threat to our homeland,” Jenkins stated.
She wants the President to get Congressional approval before launching any military operation. She believes the crisis requires, “a public debate,.
“I stand ready to return to Washington at a moment’s notice to debate this issue and will be signing a letter to the President asking that he get consent from Congress as prescribed in the Constitution and the War Powers Resolution of 1973.”

Huelskamp’s Gay Marriage Ban Plan Lacks Kansas Co- Sponsors August 1, 2013

(AP) – A Kansas congressman’s legislation seeking a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage has picked up more support, but not from his Kansas colleagues.

Republican Rep. Tim Huelskamp’s bill has picked up at least 47 co-sponsors in the U.S. House since its introduction a month ago. That includes 20 supporters added in July.

The Hutchinson News reports that absent from the list of co-sponsors are Kansas’ other three House members, all Republicans.

U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo says he strongly believes in defending traditional marriage and is looking at the amendment carefully. Reps. Kevin Yoder and Lynn Jenkins declined comment.

Huelskamp’s legislation is currently in a subcommittee. He introduced it after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act in June

Area Republicans Vote to Delay More Elements of Obamacare July 18, 2013

Several Kansas and Missouri GOP members of Congress joined the. house Leadership’s bid to give Obamacare another black eye Wednesday.
The Republican House voted to call for delays in implementing the mandates for business and individual care under the Affordable Health Care Act.
politico reports it was Speaker John Boehner’s bid to highlight the Obama administration’s recent decision to delay some portions of the health care law provisions relating to small businesses.
““If the president’s health care law is not good enough for big business, then it is not good enough for the American people,” said Ks-2 Rep. Lynn Jenkins. She is a member of the House Leadership.
Mo-4 Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler said much the same thing.
” Since employers are being allowed to delay compliance with this unworkable law, it is only fair that hardworking taxpayers be given the same treatment as businesses.”
The Chairman of the House Small Business Committee is North Missouri Congressman Sam Graves, Mo-6, ““In fairness, the Administration’s decision to delay part of the health care law must now be applied equitably to all Americans,” said Congressman Graves. “Sadly, some small businesses have reduced employees’ hours or held off hiring in their scramble to comply with this law’s heavy-handed requirements.”
35 Democrats joined the Republican majority in asking for a delay on the employer mandate. 22 Democrats voted for the request to delay the individual mandates.
Politico reports the President may respond Thursday in a speech on how Americans will save money when the law is fully in place

Lawrence Democrat Consider Jenkins Challenge in Ks-2 July 15, 2013

(AP) – A Lawrence Democrat is considering challenging GOP incumbent Rep. Lynn Jenkins next year for the 2nd District U.S. House seat of eastern Kansas.

Margie Wakefield, a family law attorney, says Monday that she is meeting with Democrats in the district to assess her potential to be a candidate. She will spend the next two months meeting with voters before making a formal decision.

Wakefield worked for Republican U.S. Sen. Bob Dole after graduating from college. She said 2nd District voters need representation that will work with Republicans and Democrats on issues.

Jenkins, a former state legislator and state treasurer, was elected to the U.S. House in 2008 when she defeated incumbent Democrat Nancy Boyda.

The 2nd District includes the cities of Topeka, Lawrence, Pittsburg and Leavenworth.