Davids Votes Against Extreme Spending Bill That Threatens Kansans’ Jobs, Health, Security

Ahead of a potential government shutdown on Friday, Representative Sharice Davids released a statement today following her vote against the partisan funding bill negotiated by Congressional Republicans and President Trump.

"I’ll work with anyone to benefit Kansans, but this extreme proposal, drafted without bipartisan input, does the opposite. While I support raising pay for newly enlisted service members, the bill threatens Social Security and Medicare, makes it harder for Kansans to afford rent, cuts investments for local infrastructure projects and public safety programs, and guts a bipartisan program that has expanded health care for 2,500 veterans in Kansas’ Third District exposed to toxins. It also hands unchecked power to Donald Trump and Elon Musk — the same two who have thrown our economy and democracy into chaos — to push massive tax breaks for their billionaire friends. Kansans deserve real, bipartisan solutions that lower costs, not more reckless power grabs."

Background:

Last week, Davids urged U.S. House Republicans to work in a bipartisan manner on a funding agreement that would safeguard Kansans' jobs, health, and safety. However, Republicans proceeded with a partisan funding package, crafted solely by their leadership in Washington. President Trump openly advocated for this bill, so he could pass tax giveaways benefiting the ultra-wealthy.

The Republican full-year funding bill strips away key congressional oversight, handing the Trump Administration, which already ignores congressional and legal intent, broad authority to slash Social Security, housing assistance, and disaster relief. Consequences include:

Weaker Social Security – Allows Trump and Musk to fire Social Security workers, as they’ve stated is the plan, causing office closures, longer wait times, and delays in benefits.

• Davids voted for the bipartisan Social Security Fairness Act to protect the program for public sector retirees, including teachers, firefighters, and police officers.

Public Safety Threatened – Cuts $247 million from programs meant to fight fentanyl trafficking and increase public safety, including gutting COPS grants by 37 percent.

• Davids has repeatedly supported investments to fight fentanyl, hire more officers, increase mental health services, and more.

Veterans' Health Care at Risk – Fails to fully fund care for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits, jeopardizing life-saving treatment.

• Davids helped pass this bipartisan proposal that has expanded health care for 2,476 veterans in Kansas’ Third District.

Higher Housing Costs – Cuts rent subsidies, threatening 32,000 households, including veterans, seniors, and domestic violence survivors. Slashes homeless services in 400 communities.

• Davids worked with former Rep. Jake LaTurner (R-KS-02) on bipartisan legislation that boosts affordable rental housing options in rural, suburban, and urban Kansas.

Increased Flood Risk – Cuts 44 percent of U.S. Army Corps funding, undermining the Kansas City office’s management of 500 Missouri River miles and key military construction for safety and security.

• Davids has secured federal investment for multiple Army Corp projects, including Upper Turkey Creek Levee flood mitigation and others.

Higher Energy Costs – Cuts funding for electricity programs serving 60 million Americans, leading to higher bills and potential power disruptions.

• Davids helped pass new federal tax credits that have already saved 3.4 million American families more than $8 billion.

Transportation Safety Slashed – Eliminates $2 billion in safety upgrades for airports, railways, and roads.

• Davids voted for the bipartisan infrastructure law which has kickstarted more than 370 projects in Kansas’ Third District to improve roads, bridges, and broadband.

Uncertainty for Tribes – Gives the Trump Administration the ability to manipulate Tribal Priority Allocations (TPAs) that govern allocation of all the core tribal programs.

• Davids serves as the Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Native American Caucus, advocating for tribal sovereignty and protecting vital programs.

More Chaos for Commuters – Hands Trump and Musk control over infrastructure funding, jeopardizing projects that improve roads, public transit, and reduce congestion.

• Davids has brought multiple investments to Kansas to reduce congestion and decrease commute times for drivers, while also ensuring safety for pedestrians.

Disaster Relief Gutted – Leaves FEMA underfunded heading into hurricane and tornado season, putting lives at risk.

• Davids introduced bipartisan legislation to modernize emergency alert systems nationwide.

Student Support Cut – Slashes mental health grants for schools and financial aid programs like Work Study.

• Davids' bipartisan legislation to renew federal mental health grant programs for health centers, schools, and law enforcement passed the House in 2022.

Election Security Weakened – Cuts $40 million from election security grants, making elections less secure.

• Davids first bill that she sponsored when coming to Congress was introduced to tackle money in politics, fight corruption, and make elections Fair.

National Security Jeopardized – Slashes nuclear nonproliferation efforts, increasing risks of nuclear terrorism, and slashes Department of Defense funding at a level never seen before.

• Davids has repeatedly supported bipartisan bills that strengthen national security by investing in service members, innovation, technology, our allies abroad.