Congress has been so dysfunctional for so long. We need to begin with the low-hanging fruit.
The places where there has been agreement on policy, but partisan politics have blocked solutions from even coming up for a vote.
IMMIGRATION
Pass a Bipartisan Border Bill
In 2007, Nancy Boyda urged both sides of the aisle to take action on immigration:
“If we don’t pass a bipartisan comprehensive immigration bill now, there will be a humanitarian crisis at the border, she said.”
Unfortunately, that warning has come true. Today, Congress’s failure to act has led to a crisis that affects all of us.
While the Senate has passed bipartisan immigration bills twice, the House has consistently refused to bring these bills up for a vote.
Why? Both parties are afraid of their bases: Democrats fear the bill could be seen as “anti-immigrant,” while Republicans worry it might be labeled as an “amnesty” bill.
It’s time for Congress to stop playing politics with people’s lives and do its job.
We need a comprehensive immigration bill now—one that addresses the real issues at our border and provides sensible solutions for those already here.
Mass Deportation = Chaos
Derek Schmidt and his party believe the solution is mass deportation of 10–15 million immigrants.
Nancy Boyda couldn’t disagree more. Such drastic actions would bring economic chaos like our country has never seen.
Schmidt avoids addressing the clear and devastating consequences of mass deportation, which include:
- Inflation levels never seen before in our country
- Massive disruption to the economy and supply chains
- Serious disruptions to essential services
- Families and communities torn apart
- A massive government outlay for deportation costs, further adding to our national debt
Mass deportation is not a solution. It’s a disaster waiting to happen.
A Balanced Approach
Nancy Boyda knows that our country can solve this crisis with a balanced and humane approach.
A bipartisan immigration bill should include:
- An immediate increase in border security to keep dangerous individuals out.
- The immediate deportation of drug cartel members who threaten our safety.
- Visa programs that are flexible and pegged to employment levels, ensuring businesses have the workers they need.
- Stricter qualifications for asylum to prevent abuse while protecting those genuinely in need.
- A pathway to citizenship for immigrants who have lived here for over five years without committing violent crimes.
- Efforts to reduce the backlog in our immigration courts, so cases are handled promptly and fairly.
Working Toward Real Solutions
Nancy Boyda believes in practical solutions, not political theater.
We can secure our borders, ensure that law-abiding immigrants have a chance at the American Dream, and address the real issues facing our immigration system—all while keeping our economy and communities strong.
Together, we can do better, but only if Congress stops the gridlock and works across party lines for real change.
It’s time to pass a comprehensive, bipartisan immigration bill that serves the best interests of our country.
HOUSING
Build, Baby, Build!
Housing has reached a crisis point for working families, seniors, and communities across the country.
Keeping a roof over your head shouldn’t be this hard.
Nancy Boyda knows that we need to take urgent action to make housing affordable again.
Half of our builders went out of business after the 2008 Great Recession. The ones that survived shifted to building high-end homes because that’s where the money was.
Now, we face a shortage of 3-5 million homes and 7 million rental units.
It’s time to build more housing that working people can actually afford.
Nancy Boyda’s Plan to Address the Housing Crisis
To tackle the housing crisis, Nancy Boyda has outlined a clear plan that includes:
- Incentivizing the construction of lower cost housing: We need to make it financially viable for builders to prioritize units that increase housing affordability over luxury homes.
- Cutting red tape: Bureaucratic hurdles are slowing down the building process. We need to streamline the regulations to get homes built faster.
- Training more workers in building trades: To build more housing, we need more workers trained in the construction industry. Investing in vocational programs will help meet this demand.
- Investing in new and emerging technologies: We must look for innovative ways to cut the cost of building without compromising quality.
Together, We Can Solve the Housing Crisis
Nancy Boyda knows that housing is a foundational issue.
Affordable housing is essential for economic security, community stability, and a better quality of life for all Americans.
It’s time to cut through the obstacles, incentivize construction that improves housing affordability, and ensure that everyone has access to a home they can afford.
Let’s build, baby, build—together!
TARIFFS
Tariffs: Friend or Foe?
Tariffs are always inflationary. Always. They are designed to raise the price of a product to encourage consumers to buy American-made goods instead. This is the idea behind the term “America First.”
When an American company imports goods from China, it must pay any applicable tariff to the U.S. government. This tariff is essentially a tax on American companies, not foreign ones, and the cost is often passed down to consumers.
Take Dollar Tree, for example: before the Trump tariffs in 2018, everything in the store cost $1.00. After the tariffs, prices increased to $1.25 as the company simply passed these costs on to customers.
The Impact on Working and Farm Families
Tariffs disproportionately hurt working families. After the 2018 tariffs, China retaliated by imposing tariffs on American soybeans.
As a result, orders for American agricultural products plummeted, devastating farmers and the Kansas agricultural economy.
The USDA estimated that Kansas farmers lost nearly $1 billion per year in export markets due to retaliatory tariffs.
The Cost of Broad Tariffs
Trump is now proposing across-the-board tariffs of 60% on Chinese goods and 10-20% on all other imports. These tariffs are projected to cost the average American household an additional $2,600 per year.
So, are tariffs a friend or foe?
Nancy Boyda’s Approach to Tariffs
Nancy Boyda believes that targeted tariffs have their place, Boyda said, “Targeted tariffs have a place, but with the cost of living so high, we need to cut tariffs and give Americans a break at the checkout line.” but with the current cost of living so high, we need to reduce tariffs and give Americans some relief at the checkout line.
Boyda is committed to supporting policies that lower the financial burden on working families while ensuring that our trade policies are fair and effective.
It’s time to rethink the blanket use of tariffs and find a balanced approach that benefits American workers, families, and businesses alike.
Together for a Balanced Trade Policy
Nancy Boyda stands for a balanced trade policy that supports American jobs without overburdening American consumers.
Targeted tariffs, where necessary, can protect domestic industries, but we must avoid measures that unnecessarily inflate prices and harm working families.
It’s time for a smarter approach to trade—one that puts the needs of American families first while still allowing our economy to compete and thrive globally.
HEALTHCARE
Access to High-Quality, Affordable Healthcare
Nancy Boyda believes every American deserves access to high-quality, affordable healthcare.
She will fully fund Medicare, Medicaid, and Federally Qualified Health Centers while protecting the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
These programs form the backbone of our healthcare system.
More than 240,000 Kansans are currently without health insurance, but her opponent Derek Schmidt doesn’t seem to care. His healthcare has always been paid for by Kansas taxpayers.
“He doesn’t get the nightmare Kansas families face every day trying to afford healthcare,” said Nancy Boyda.
Medicaid Expansion and the Affordable Care Act
Nancy Boyda is committed to expanding access to healthcare and ensuring that Kansans get the care they need.
On the other hand, Derek Schmidt fought against Medicaid expansion for 20 years, even as struggling Kansas hospitals pleaded for his help.
The Supreme Court blocked Schmidt six times from stripping millions of Americans of their health insurance when he tried and failed to overturn the ACA.
Reining in Prescription Drug Prices
Boyda understands that prescription drug prices are out of control.
She will work to bring down high prescription costs by holding profit-driven middlemen—Pharmacy Benefit Managers—accountable and ending their secretive deals that drive up prices.
Fighting for a Healthier Kansas
Nancy Boyda believes that every Kansan should have access to the healthcare they need, without the fear of financial ruin.
By fully funding vital healthcare programs, protecting the ACA, and reining in prescription costs, Boyda will fight to make high-quality healthcare accessible to all.
REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM
We Must Restore Roe
Nancy Boyda believes in protecting a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions.
Since 1973, Kansas has maintained a centrist stance on abortion—legal up to 22 weeks, which is the point of fetal viability.
Boyda supports this historic, balanced approach, saying, “I support Kansas’ historic, centrist position of 22 weeks. I support IVF and birth control.”
She continued, “Women must have the freedom to make their own decisions without the horrors of government intrusion into their personal lives.”
In August 2022, Kansans made their voices heard loud and clear, voting to uphold reproductive freedom by a significant margin of 59.2% to 40.8%.
Despite this overwhelming support, there are still forces trying to take away women’s rights and override the will of Kansas voters.
Protecting Personal Freedoms
Nancy Boyda is committed to ensuring that women retain the right to make their own healthcare decisions without interference from politicians or the government.
As she has said, “Get the government out of our bedrooms and doctors’ offices!”
Boyda knows that every individual should have the freedom to choose what is best for their own body, and that includes access to reproductive healthcare like IVF and birth control.
We cannot allow extremist voices to control the future of women’s healthcare in Kansas.
MONEY IN ELECTIONS
Money is Corrupting Our Democracy
Every Kansan I’ve ever spoken with believes money is corrupting our democracy.
With some notable exceptions, money doesn’t usually corrupt an individual lawmaker.
But the millions of dollars it takes to get elected corrupt our democratic process.
Special interests don’t give money unless they expect votes in return.
Why didn’t we vote on immigration?
Because interests on both sides would have screamed at the tops of their lungs and then turned the money spigots off. Money won.
More than 20 years ago, a law was passed saying that Medicare could not negotiate with Big Pharma to get reasonable prices on drugs.
It was absolutely absurd. Why did it persist? You and I both know the answer: Money.
Just last year, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which finally included a provision allowing Medicare to negotiate drug costs.
Of course, Big Pharma is fighting it in the courts, clogging our courts with more lawsuits.
Citizens United: Free Speech for the Ultra-Powerful
Congress attempted to control how much money is spent on elections, but in 2010, the Supreme Court made the fateful Citizens United decision.
It declared that unlimited dark money in our elections was equivalent to free speech.
“Free speech” for the ultra-powerful was allowed to drown out the free speech of the ordinary Kansan.
It didn’t take long for both sides to get addicted to the tsunami of money that has now become commonplace.
Everyone I speak with decries what has happened, but I’ve met few people who believe it will ever change. We can change this!
Fighting for Change
I will join the fight to introduce a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and return free speech to Kansans.
We must work together to ensure that our democracy represents all of us, not just the wealthy few.
By reducing the influence of money in our elections, we can restore the power of the people and create a government that works for everyone, not just special interests.
ENERGY
“All of the Above”
Kansas is fully embracing an “All of the Above” energy policy.
With oil and gas, wind, nuclear, biofuels, and solar, Kansas is doing its part to keep America energy independent.
For the past four years, the United States has been the largest exporter of oil and gas in the world.
We produced more liquid fuel by far than any other country on Earth, so why are we not seeing lower gas prices?
The answer lies with the Big 3 oil companies, which made more profit than ever by exporting U.S. oil and gas to other countries.
It’s clear that despite our production success, the benefits are not reaching American families.
Investing in a Balanced Energy Future
It’s frightening to think what gas prices would be if we had not been investing in renewables.
As we look ahead, we must focus on energy independence and a sustainable future by:
- Continuing to be the world leader in oil and gas.
- Investing in renewable energy.
- Supporting advanced nuclear technology.
- Exploring fusion and cutting-edge technologies.
Energy Production = Good Jobs
Energy production of any kind means good jobs, and that’s good for Kansas communities.
Nancy Boyda is committed to an energy policy that promotes job growth, energy independence, and sustainability.
By supporting a diverse mix of energy sources, Kansas can lead the way in ensuring America’s energy future is secure, affordable, and environmentally responsible.
CLIMATE CHANGE
The Path Forward
Nancy Boyda believes science tells us we must make changes—and soon.
But the reality is that we are mired in anger and distrust on this topic.
Sadly, as the climate changes, tempers get hotter on both sides, and it often feels like we will never make enough progress fast enough.
As the world’s population increases and as standards of living rise globally, we are using more—not less—energy.
Reduce, reuse, recycle has only taken us so far.
Without the significant investments we have made in renewable energy, our situation would be much worse.
Nancy Boyda is committed to continuing to support investments in new technologies that can help us move forward.
Respect for Individual Choices
Nancy Boyda does not support telling Kansans what they can and cannot drive or what temperature to keep their homes.
Policies like that are akin to banning the Big Gulp—they won’t work.
Instead, Boyda believes in practical solutions that respect individual freedoms while ensuring we all do our part to address the climate crisis.
Investing in a Sustainable Future
Nancy Boyda understands that the path to combating climate change is through investment in sustainable energy and technologies.
By supporting renewable energy, advanced nuclear, and cutting-edge innovations like fusion, we can build a future that is both environmentally responsible and economically prosperous.
Boyda is dedicated to ensuring that climate policies focus on practical solutions that bring us together, rather than divide us.
By investing in new energy technologies and respecting personal freedoms, she aims to make progress on climate action that benefits all Kansans.
TAXES
Make Taxes More Fair
The 2017 tax cuts are set to expire in 2025. What happens in Congress will make a very big difference to your pocketbook.
Nancy Boyda believes we need to make the tax code more fair.
The vast majority of the benefit from the Trump and Bush tax cuts went to the wealthy and to corporations.
Just like the Brownback tax cuts, they added significantly to our deficit.
Just like the Brownback tax cuts, they never paid for themselves.
Just like the Brownback tax cuts, they never “trickled down.”
We were told we would “very conservatively” see a $4,000 boost to each household. Did you see yours?
The Truth About Tax Cuts
Here’s the truth: Big tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy drive up deficits and inflation.
They don’t trickle down to the working class.
Nancy Boyda will vote to extend the middle-class tax cuts. She will not extend the tax cuts for the wealthy or corporations.
Nancy Boyda’s Plan for a More Fair Tax System
- Extend middle and working class tax cuts: Nancy Boyda supports extending tax cuts for middle and working-class families to ensure they get the relief they deserve.
- Let tax cuts expire for people making more than $400,000 per year: Those at the top can afford to pay their fair share, and it’s time we make sure our tax system reflects that.
- Extend the Child Tax Credit: The Child Tax Credit is a vital support for families, and Nancy Boyda will fight to keep it in place.
- Extend tax credits for Affordable Care Act health insurance: Healthcare must be affordable, and extending these tax credits will help make sure everyone can access the care they need.
- Extend the Earned Income Tax Credit for working adults: The Earned Income Tax Credit is crucial for working individuals and families, and Nancy Boyda is committed to ensuring it continues.
Building a Better Future
Nancy Boyda believes that tax policy should benefit all Americans, not just the wealthy few.
By focusing on fairness, sustainability, and the needs of working families, she will fight for a tax code that supports a thriving middle class and reduces the burden on everyday Kansans.
It’s time for a tax system that works for everyone—not just the wealthy and well-connected.
LGBTQIA RIGHTS
Dignity and Respect for All
Nancy Boyda is dedicated to ensuring that every individual, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, is treated with dignity and respect.
As the proud parent of a gay son, Nancy Boyda has a personal commitment to advocating for the rights and protections of the LGBTQIA community.
Nancy Boyda supports marriage equality, laws that protect the community from employment, housing, healthcare, and public accommodation discrimination.
Nancy Boyda is deeply concerned with increasing bullying and violence toward the LGBTQIA community.
If elected, she will consistently vote to respect and protect the right to privacy.
THE FUTURE
A Message from Nancy
We are in a time of intense change. What will AI do to our jobs? How are young people (or any of us) going to find affordable housing?
If I told you I knew or had the answers, you’d know I was lying.
Here’s what I do know: If the powerful have us tearing each other apart while they make decisions, it will not be a pretty future for the rest of us.
Here’s what else I know: I know there is a brighter future possible. It takes vision and leadership.
My vision is that Kansans take the lead to start rebuilding trust so we have a fighting chance at that brighter future.
Ad Astra per Aspera
© Copyright 2024 – Paid for by Nancy Boyda for Congress