U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., will be the guest speaker on Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Wyandotte County Third Saturday Democratic Breakfast at Las Islas VIP Bar and Grill, 4929 State Ave.
The program begins about 9 a.m., with the restaurant opening at 8:15 a.m.
Also speaking at the event Saturday will be State Rep. Pam Curtis, D-32nd Dist.
The event will have doughnuts from Hana’s Donuts, with no charge for the event for Democrats.
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., spoke on Friday with UAW Local 31 President Clarence Brown, right, and Greater KC Chamber of Commerce Project Manager Adam Timmerman. (Photo from Rep. Davids’ office)
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., today called for major economic legislation that would invest in domestic chip manufacturing.
Rep. Davids made her remarks at the United Autoworkers Local 31 hall in the Fairfax area of Kansas City, Kansas.
Rep. Davids met with business and labor leaders at the General Motors Fairfax Assembly and Stamping Plant in Fairfax. The plant was closed for several months last year because of the semiconductor “chip” shortage, and the second shift was laid off for most of last year.
Rep. Davids voted for the bipartisan America Competes Act earlier this month, which includes incentives for domestic chip production, resources to strengthen supply chains and reduce inflation, and policies that will promote American global leadership. Her amendment passed the House, ensuring that small and mid-sized manufacturers are given opportunities to participate in federal supply chain upgrades.
“Chips are essential components of the things Kansans use daily, from cars to computers to CPAP machines, and the shortage has been driving prices up across industries. I heard that firsthand from our local General Motors plant here in Fairfax,” Rep. Davids said. “We need to make more of these crucial materials here at home. These are the types of bipartisan policies that are going to make a real difference, from the factory floor to the kitchen table.”
“We appreciate Rep. Davids’ focus on critical supply chains including U.S. production of semiconductors to alleviate the ongoing shortage that continues to impact U.S. automotive manufacturing. The secure supply of semiconductors is absolutely critical for our work here at General Motors Fairfax Assembly plant and our over 2,000 employees,” said Steve Notar Donato, executive director of the General Motors Fairfax Assembly and Stamping Plant. “While there has been improvement, ensuring a steady supply is necessary to help support American jobs, maintain national security and provide consumers with the vehicles they need.”
“For seven months last year, the Fairfax GM floor was empty because of the chips shortage. In no way is that good for our workers, for our customers, or for our economy. I applaud Rep. Davids for her relentless support for workers now and into the future,” said Clarence “C.B.” Brown, president of UAW Local 31.
“These pieces of legislation are critical to advancing the technological capabilities of our nation while bringing new investments in research, innovation, and American manufacturing to the Greater Kansas City region,” said Adam Timmerman, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. “As a chamber of commerce representing over 2,000 businesses across the bistate region, we will continue to advocate for legislation that turbocharges our research capacity to lead the technologies of the future, that solidifies and accelerates U.S. production of critical semiconductor chips, that strengthens the supply chain to make more goods in America, and that will advance our global competitiveness. Thank you, Representative Davids , for your support for this critical piece of legislation.”
According to a Joint Economic Committee report, the U.S. has lost over a quarter of its manufacturing jobs since 2000, and production of critical materials like chips—which are used in computers, cars, washing machines, and more—has increasingly moved overseas. This shortage has been contributing to inflation and supply chain difficulties across industries. In addition to Davids’ meeting with the General Motors plant this week, she recently visited local medical device suppliers who rely on chips and have been struggling to serve patients amid the ongoing shortage. The America COMPETES Act includes $52 billion to support domestic production of chips.
Rep. Sharice Davids delivered Valentines in 2019, the first year of her Valentines for Vets program. (Submitted photo)
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, D-3rd Dist., is continuing her Valentines for Vets program this week in the 3rd District.
Her office is collecting and distributing Valentine’s Day cards to veterans and caregivers in the 3rd District, for the fourth annual event.
Residents may mail Valentine’s cards to Rep. Davids’ office in Kansas City or may email a card message to [email protected] through Saturday, Feb. 12.
Rep. Davids then will deliver the submitted cards to Kansas veterans and caregivers.
“For the past four years, the Valentines for Vets program has offered a way for us to show our appreciation for those who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe. I hope many of our neighbors here in Kansas will choose to participate again this year, as I know our office looks forward to delivering these handwritten messages of gratitude to veterans and their families in the Kansas Third,” Rep. Davids said.
In previous years, Kansans have crafted hundreds of handwritten messages for local veterans as part of Davids’ Valentines for Vets program.
Cards may be mailed to:
Office of Representative Sharice Davids 753 State Ave. Suite 460 Kansas City, KS 66101
