Newsletter: Congressman Yoder Holds OP Town Hall Forum, Administration Reaches Nuclear Deal with Iran

Statement

Happy Easter

Brooke, Caroline, and I had a wonderful Easter Sunday. We celebrated by attending church service and spending the day with family and friends. We hope you were able to share this special holiday with your loved ones as well.

From our family to yours, Happy Easter!

Overland Park Town Hall Forum

Thank you to everyone who came out for my Town Hall Forum in OP on Wednesday. We had a great discussion about some of the issues Congress is facing during this legislative session. We touched on replacing our broken tax code with the Fair Tax, recent reforms made to Medicare through legislation repealing the cuts to doctor reimbursement rates, balancing our federal books by passing the House GOP budget proposal, and much more.

If you couldn't make it, but still have questions or comments, I want to hear from you. Go to my website at www.yoder.house.gov and send me an email and I'll be sure to respond.

Administration Announces Parameters of Nuclear Deal with Iran

Last week, the Obama Administration announced that the United States, along with the other permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and Germany, had agreed on the parameters of a deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding its nuclear weapons program. At a press conference after the announcement, Iranian Foreign Affairs Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif described the deal in this quote:

"All Security Council resolutions will be terminated, all U.S. nuclear-related secondary sanctions as well as EU sanctions will be terminated. None of those measures include closing our facilities. The proud people of Iran would never accept that. Our facilities will continue. We will continue enriching, we will continue research and development, our heavy water reactor will be modernized and we will continue the Fordow facility."

I cannot support a deal that will lift sanctions without stopping Iran from building a nuclear weapon. Iran has a history of lying to other nations and stonewalling International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors when it comes to its nuclear program. I see no reason why now is the time to trust the government of this country to live up to its promises, especially as its leader echoes chants of "death to America" at a recent public speech.

I would urge the Administration to rework this deal to provide for a more safe and secure Middle East, and to reduce the threat posed to Israel and the United States. Most importantly, regardless of what it negotiates with Iran, the Administration must come to Congress for approval.

Kansas Legislature Passes ABLE Act to Begin Autism Awareness Month

April is Autism Awareness Month, and the Kansas House of Representatives began the month this year by passing Kansas State Representative Erin Davis' ABLE Act. The bill establishes ABLE Accounts in Kansas, implementing the federal law passed last December by Congress.

Once Governor Sam Brownback signs the bill into law, Kansans will be allowed to set aside $14,000 annually and up to $100,000 in total in tax-free savings accounts to provide for future care for individuals with disabilities in the form of transportation and other living expenses not currently covered under federal disability programs.

Special thank you to Jonathan and Jawanda Mast and their daughter Rachel, who have been advocating for the passage of this bill since I came to Congress. Thanks also to Representative Davis and Kansas State Senator Greg Smith for their work in shepherding the bill through the state legislature.

Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy

Last Sunday, I attended the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy Civic Service Award Celebration in Overland Park. This year, Hyman Brand honored the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation - represented by Henry Bloch - for their unwavering commitment to our community. Thank you to Elly and Gina Goldstein for inviting me, as well as all the parents, faculty and staff who I enjoyed visiting with at the event.

Blue Valley West High School

Spending time with seniors enrolled in government class at Blue Valley West High School in Overland Park last Monday was a great way to start my week. Their excellent questions led us to discuss a variety of topics from the FCC's Net Neutrality regulations to nuclear negotiations with Iran to general principles in leadership.

Thank you to BVW senior Katie Fries for the invitation and to government teacher Josh Koerkenmeier for organizing the event.

Lenexa Chamber of Commerce

It was great to sit down with the Lenexa Chamber of Commerce last week to discuss several of the issues facing Congress. I appreciated the opportunity to hear from our local leaders on how policies coming down from Washington are affecting their businesses on a day-to-day basis. We touched on a wide range of issues, including important legislation recently passed by the House setting our budget priorities and reforming Medicare, immigration, transportation, national defense, and the FCC's recent Net Neutrality regulations.

As always, it was nice to visit with Lenexa Mayor Michael Boehm and several City Councilmembers.

Overland Park Rotary Club

I appreciated the opportunity to attend last Monday's Overland Park Rotary Club meeting and hear from Operation Homefront Board Member John Laws about the many needs of our servicemembers and their families. Operation Homefront is one of the organizations meeting those basic needs right here in our community.

Thank you to John for sharing Operation Homefront's work with our group, and also thanks to Jacqueline Watts, Director of Programs for Operation Homefront here in Kansas City. Members of our military and their families sacrifice so much for our country, so it was heartwarming to hear about the many services Operation Homefront provides to help ease their burden.

Don Boyer Presented with WWII Medals

Last week, my office had the honor of presenting our friend Don Boyer with medals he earned during World War II as a member of the 232nd Infantry Regiment of the famed 42nd Infantry, known as the "Rainbow Division."

Don received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and Combat Infantryman's Badge. The award of the Purple Heart was earned for injuries sustained at the hands of enemy while a Prisoner of War at Stalag 11B, near Fallingbostel, Germany in 1945.

Don has been a member of the American Legion for 68 years and is a member of my Military and Veterans' Affairs Advisory Committee. Thank you Don for your advice and counsel on the Advisory Committee, and more importantly for your service and sacrifice for our country.

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