.Wichita Pachyderm Club members are civically minded and engaged citizens who meet weekly for lunch on Fridays. I enjoyed speaking to them recently about my role as chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee, the Working Families Tax Cuts, how Republicans are cracking down on fraud, and recent legislative wins for the Air Capital.

Recently I participated in the ribbon cutting celebrating the opening of the Residence at Heritage West in Andover. Housing costs are one of the biggest challenges facing Kansas families, including older Kansans on a fixed income. Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts legislation delivered the biggest expansion of Housing Credit in more than two decades, allowing projects like this one to be built here and across the country. I’m glad that the 60 new homes at Heritage West will provide a safe and affordable community for Kansas seniors.

Last Tuesday, I toured Hope Women’s Center in Newton which provides free services to women, including pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and abortion pill reversal. It was great to learn about how they support women who think they might be pregnant. At their center, they continue to offer services to women after they give birth with assistance, support, and resources. 

Also last Tuesday, I visited the Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas in Wichita to hear about the job market in our region. It was great to see how they are helping veterans land jobs with local employers and give parents child care support so they can stay in the workforce.

I enjoyed visiting the Boys and Girls Club of South Central Kansas and hearing about how they support the futures of children in our community through academic assistance, leadership training, physical fitness, and more. They have sites at schools throughout Maize and Derby, as well as a location in Wichita. Their mentorship and care of children and teenagers is having a wonderful impact on young Kansans, and I enjoyed seeing the work they are doing to improve and upgrade spaces for our future generation. 

.The Treasury’s “Do Not Pay” Program has stopped $175 million in improper federal payments being made to deceased individuals. The Treasury was able to do this because of common sense legislation that we passed earlier this year and that the president signed into law in February. The law allows the Social Security Administration to share certain death records with the Treasury’s “Do Not Pay” service. I serve as the chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee, and I’m glad that our efforts to uncover waste, fraud, and abuse are delivering results that benefit American taxpayers.

.The Trump administration automatically enrolled over 60 million American children for Trump Accounts, giving them a head start toward financial independence. Trump Accounts, or 530A accounts, allow parents of U.S. children under the age of 18 to contribute up to $5,000 a year to their account, but even just a little investment can add up. Over time, the money in the accounts will be invested into broad-market U.S. assets and will unlock the power of compounding returns.

Children born between 2025 and 2028 can claim a $1,000 deposit from the federal government. In order to receive the $1,000, parents must claim the account on the Trump Accounts app. More information on how to do this can be found on TrumpAccounts.gov.

Republicans created Trump Accounts in our historic Working Families Tax Cuts legislation, and I’m glad that these accounts will benefit Kansas children by giving them the opportunity to save, build wealth, and pursue the American dream.