Kevin Yoder

Yoder was born and raised on a grain and livestock farm in Yoder, Kansas, a small farming town outside of Hutchinson. He is the son of Susan Elizabeth Peck (née Alexander) and Wayne E. Yoder. His ancestry includes Northern Irish, German, and English.{{cite web |url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/%7Ebattle/reps/yoder.htm |title=Kevin Yoder ancestry |website=Ancestry.com |access-date=August 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603113329/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/%7Ebattle/reps/yoder.htm |archive-date=June 3, 2016 |url-status=dead }}

Yoder graduated from Hutchinson High School and, in 1999, from the University of Kansas with a dual major in English and Political Science. He served as KU Student Body president, president of the Kansas Union Memorial Corporation Board of Directors, and as a board member of the KU Athletics Corporation. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, served as president, and received the 2012 Order of Achievement award from Lambda Chi Alpha.{{cite web |url=https://www.lambdachi.org/candc/congressmen-and-passionate-brothers |title=Congressmen and Passionate Brothers |publisher=Lambda Chi Alpha |date=January 5, 2011 |access-date=August 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923050735/https://www.lambdachi.org/candc/congressmen-and-passionate-brothers/ |archive-date=September 23, 2017 |url-status=dead }} While at KU, Yoder interned with the Kansas State Legislature. In 2002, he received a J.D. degree from the University of Kansas Law School where he served for two years as Student Bar Association President.[http://www.yoderforcongress.com/about About Kevin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614044455/http://yoderforcongress.com/about/ |date=2011-06-14 }}, Kevin for Congress website Yoder has served on the KU Law School Board of Governors. He was a 2007 graduate of Leadership Kansas.

Yoder worked as a law clerk for Payne and Jones from 2000 to 2001, then as a special assistant in the U.S. Department of Defense's Office of Counternarcotics in 2001.{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/bio.php?can_id=34433 |title=Representative Kevin W. Yoder (KS) |publisher=Project Vote Smart}} He joined Speer and Holliday LLP, a small law firm in Olathe, as an associate and became a partner in 2005.

Yoder is a member of the American Council of Young Political Leaders and the Kansas Bar Association, and has served on the board of directors of the Johnson County Bar Association.

Yoder was first elected to the Kansas House of Representatives (20th district) on January 13, 2003.{{cite web |url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=36548 |title=Our Campaigns - KS State House 020 Race - Nov 05, 2002 |website=www.ourcampaigns.com}} He succeeded Gerry Ray.[http://www.kssos.org/elections/elmpast/2kgwin1.html 2000 Kansas Official General Election Results.] Kansas Secretary of State. He was then subsequently re-elected to the office three times. The district includes portions of Overland Park and Leawood.

As chair of the Kansas State House Appropriations Committee, he had the responsibility to balance the budget, cut government spending, oppose raising taxes, and allocate over $13 billion in state revenue to public schools, universities, prisons, social services and highways. In March 2010, the committee introduced its budget plan.{{cite news|agency=The Associated Press |url=http://cjonline.com/news/legislature/2010-03-18/house_gop_offer_budget_fix |title=House GOP offer budget fix |publisher=CJOnline.com |date=March 18, 2010 |access-date=September 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009164621/http://cjonline.com/news/legislature/2010-03-18/house_gop_offer_budget_fix |archive-date=October 9, 2012 |url-status=dead}} The proposed plan was defeated by a bipartisan group of moderate Republicans and Democrats in May 2010.{{cite web|first=Tim |last=Carpenter |url=http://cjonline.com/news/legislature/2010-05-04/gop_leaders_budget_refused |title=GOP leaders' budget refused |publisher=CJOnline.com |access-date=September 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222060727/http://cjonline.com/news/legislature/2010-05-04/gop_leaders_budget_refused |archive-date=February 22, 2011 |url-status=dead}} Yoder also served on the Judiciary Committee from 2003 through 2011.

• Appropriations (Chair)
• Legislative Budget (Chair)
• Judiciary
• Joint Committee of Congress on the Library

{{main|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Kansas#District 3*}}

On December 15, 2009, Yoder announced his intention to run for the open seat in the United States Congress.[http://primebuzz.kcstar.com/?q=node/20797 Yoder to run for Congress], Prime Buzz, The Kansas City Star{{Dead link|date=October 2010}} On August 3, 2010, he won the Republican primary with 45% of the vote, running against former State Representative Patricia Lightner, Dave King, Garry R. Klotz, Daniel Gilyeat, Jerry M. Malone, Craig McPherson, John Rysavy, and Jean Ann Uvodich.

He received the endorsement of The Kansas City Star, which stated, "He believes government spending has to be controlled and is best used when it spurs economic growth, a good stance in this jobless recovery. His experience as the Kansas House appropriations committee would serve him well in Congress".{{cite web|url=http://www.kansascity.com/2010/10/16/2320803/kansas-voters-should-choose-solutions.html|title=Kansas Voters Should Choose Solutions |access-date=December 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101018071517/http://www.kansascity.com/2010/10/16/2320803/kansas-voters-should-choose-solutions.html |archive-date=October 18, 2010 }} Yoder also received endorsement from the NRA Political Victory Fund.{{cite web|url=http://www.nraila.org/news-issues/news-from-nra-ila/2010/nra-pvf-endorses-kevin-yoder-for-us-h.aspx |title=NRA-PVF Endorses Kevin Yoder for U.S. House of Representatives in Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District |publisher= National Rifle Association of America - Institute for Legislative Action |date=September 14, 2010 |access-date=August 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913044610/https://www.nraila.org/articles/20100914/nra-pvf-endorses-kevin-yoder-for-us-h |archive-date=September 13, 2017 |quote=The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is endorsing Kevin Yoder for election to the U.S. House of Representatives in Kansas' 3rd Congressional District this November.}}

During the general campaign, Yoder set up the website stephenemoore.com in the name of Stephene Moore, his Democratic opponent, and the wife of Dennis Moore, the retiring congressman. Yoder used the site to raise questions about her campaign and issue policy positions.{{cite news|url=http://www.kmbc.com/politics/25291661/detail.html|title=Website Creates Rancor in Congressional Race|date=October 5, 2010|access-date=August 12, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322003046/http://www.kmbc.com/politics/25291661/detail.html|archive-date=March 22, 2012}} Moore's campaign filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission about the website on grounds that an "unauthorized committee" is not permitted to use the name of a candidate in the title of a special project or message if it "clearly and unambiguously" shows opposition to the named candidate. The FEC dismissed the complaint against Yoder on a 3-2 party-line vote, with Republican commissioners voting in Yoder's favor and Democratic commissioners voting in Moore's favor.{{cite news|url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/jul/06/federal-elections-commission-members-question-dism/|title=Federal Elections Commission members question dismissal of complaint against Congressman Kevin Yoder|date=July 6, 2011|agency=Associated Press}} In the general election, with 59% of the vote, Yoder won against Democratic nominee obstetrics nurse Stephene Moore and Libertarian nominee Jasmin Talbert.{{cite news |last=Klepper |first=David|title=Yoder rolls to victory in Kansas' 3rd District|date=November 2, 2010|url=http://www.kansascity.com/2010/11/02/2385431/yoder-rolling-toward-victory-in.html|work=The Kansas City Star | access-date = November 4, 2010}}

{{Main|2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Kansas#District 3}}

In the election of 2012, Yoder ran for re-election. He faced no opposition in the 2012 primary election.{{cite web|url=http://jocoelection.org/Archives/Results/officialfinalresults81312-1.htm |format=PDF |title=Election Summary Report : 2012 Kansas Primary Election |website=Jocoelection.org |access-date=2016-03-04}} In the general election, Yoder was endorsed by The Kansas City Star,{{cite web|url=http://www.kansascity.com/2012/10/19/3875307/the-stars-recommendations-stop.html#storylink=misearch|title=The Stars Recommendations |access-date=April 23, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021010800/http://www.kansascity.com/2012/10/19/3875307/the-stars-recommendations-stop.html |archive-date=October 21, 2012}} and faced Libertarian nominee Joel Balam, a college professor. Yoder won with 68% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.ks.gov/elections/12elec/2012_General_Election_Results.pdf |title=Kansas Secretary of State : 2012 General Election |website=Sos.ks.gov |access-date=2016-03-04}}

{{Main|2014 United States House of Representatives elections in Kansas#District 3}}

In the election of 2014, Yoder again ran for re-election. He faced no opposition in the 2014 primary election. In the general election, Yoder faced Democratic nominee Kelly Kultala, a former member of the Kansas Senate. Yoder won with 60% of the vote.{{cite web|url=http://www.kansascity.com/news/government-politics/election/article3568621.html |title=Incumbents win in congressional races in Kansas and Missouri|work=The Kansas City Star |date=2014-11-04 |access-date=2016-03-04}} In the 2014 election cycle, "Securities and Investment" was the number one industry contributing to Yoder's campaign committee and leadership PAC.{{cite web|url=http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=2014&type=C&cid=N00031502&newMem=N&recs=20 | title=Rep. Kevin Yoder | work=OpenSecrets.org}} According to OpenSecrets, Yoder received $53,257 from the payday-loan industry in the 2014 election cycle.{{cite web|url=http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/barbara-shelly/article4679154.html | title=Never mind the big banks, Kevin Yoder's bigger payday is from payday lenders | work=Kansas City Star}}

{{Main|2016 United States House of Representatives elections in Kansas#District 3}}

In May 2016, Yoder endorsed Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential race.{{cite web|author=Elle Moxley|url=http://kcur.org/post/rep-yoder-offers-lukewarm-endorsement-trump |title=Rep. Yoder Offers Lukewarm Endorsement Of Trump|publisher=KCUR|date=May 27, 2016}}

In 2016, Yoder was challenged in the Republican primary by retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel Greg Goode of Louisburg, who ran on a far-right platform.Dion Lefler, [http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/election/article93375852.html 2016 Kansas primary results: U.S. Senate, Congressional Districts 3 and 4], Kansas.com (August 2, 2016).Mary Rupert, [http://wyandottedaily.com/candidates-hold-widely-varying-views-in-3rd-district-u-s-house-contest/ Candidates hold widely varying views in 3rd District, U.S. House contest], Wyandotte Daily (July 25, 2016). Yoder defeated Goode, 64-36 percent. As of June 2016, Yoder had raised far more money in campaign contributions than either his Republican primary opponent or his Democratic rival.

In the November general election, Yoder faced Democratic nominee Jay Sidie of Mission Woods. According to an October 19, 2016, poll commissioned by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Sidie was polling four points behind Yoder.{{cite news|last1=Woodall|first1=Hunter|title=Sidie Pulls Closer to Yoder, According to Poll from Dems|url=http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/the-buzz/article107483507.html|access-date=22 October 2016|publisher=Kansas City Star|date=11 October 2016}} Yoder defeated Sidie by 10 points, winning 51% of the vote to Sidie's 41%.{{cite news|title=Kansas U.S. House 3rd District Results: Kevin Yoder Wins|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/kansas-house-district-3-yoder-sidie|access-date=17 November 2016|work=The New York Times|date=November 17, 2016}}

{{Main|2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Kansas#District 3}}

Through three quarters of 2017, Yoder had raised more money than any other congressional candidate in Kansas history up to that point in an election cycle.{{Cite news|url=http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/the-buzz/article160500334.html|title=Claire McCaskill, Kevin Yoder raising record amounts ahead of 2018 challenges|work=kansascity|access-date=2018-01-10|language=en}}

In the November 2018 general election, he was defeated by Democrat Sharice Davids who raised almost $1 million more than Yoder.Zeff, Sam. (November 7, 2018). "Sharice Davids Wins A Historic Victory In the Kansas 3rd Congressional District" [https://www.kcur.org/post/sharice-davids-wins-historic-victory-kansas-3rd-congressional-district#stream/0 KCUR website] Retrieved 29 November 2018. Davids won 53.3% of the vote to Yoder's 44.2%, with Libertarian Chris Clemmons winning the remaining 2.5%.{{cite web |title=Kansas Election Results: Third House District |url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/kansas-house-district-3 |website=The New York Times |access-date=29 November 2018}}

Yoder was a Co-Chairman of the Bipartisan Congressional Civility Caucus, Cancer Caucus, Deaf Caucus, and Beef Caucus.{{Cite news|url=https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-yoder-cleaver-pen-response-to-virginia-shooting-for-cnn|title=ICYMI: Yoder, Cleaver Pen Response to Virginia Shooting for CNN|date=2017-06-15|work=Congressman Kevin Yoder|access-date=2018-01-10|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111223955/https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-yoder-cleaver-pen-response-to-virginia-shooting-for-cnn|archive-date=2018-01-11|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/during-national-cancer-prevention-month-house-cancer-caucus-leaders|title=During National Cancer Prevention Month House Cancer Caucus Leaders Pledge Collaboration on the Fight Against Cancer|date=2017-02-16|work=Congressman Kevin Yoder|access-date=2018-01-10|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111052814/https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/during-national-cancer-prevention-month-house-cancer-caucus-leaders|archive-date=2018-01-11|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-yoder-reappointed-to-gallaudet-board-of-trustees|title=Rep. Yoder Reappointed to Gallaudet Board of Trustees|date=2014-03-04|work=Congressman Kevin Yoder|access-date=2018-01-10|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111223944/https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-yoder-reappointed-to-gallaudet-board-of-trustees|archive-date=2018-01-11|url-status=dead}}{{Cite news|url=https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-yoder-cuellar-announce-formation-of-congressional-beef-caucus|title=Reps. Yoder, Cuellar Announce Formation of Congressional Beef Caucus|date=2017-03-29|work=Congressman Kevin Yoder|access-date=2018-01-10|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111052710/https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/reps-yoder-cuellar-announce-formation-of-congressional-beef-caucus|archive-date=2018-01-11|url-status=dead}}

In 2012, Yoder and Missouri Democratic Representative Emanuel Cleaver were jointly awarded the Consensus Civility award for their respectful and bipartisan efforts to work with members of both political parties.{{cite web |url=http://pvpost.com/2012/11/14/yoder-cleaver-jointly-recognized-for-civility-in-government-13752 |title=Yoder, Cleaver jointly recognized for civility in government |work=Prairie Village Post |date=November 14, 2012 |access-date=August 13, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225060421/http://pvpost.com/2012/11/14/yoder-cleaver-jointly-recognized-for-civility-in-government-13752 |archive-date=February 25, 2014 |url-status=dead }} In 2017, the two representatives penned a CNN guest column on remaining united in response to the Congressional baseball shooting that left House Majority Whip Steve Scalise gravely injured.

In May 2018, Yoder became chairman of the Subcommittee on Homeland Security.{{cite web|url=https://appropriations.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395299|title=Chairman Frelinghuysen Announces Committee and Subcommittee Membership Changes - Committee on Appropriations, U.S. House of Representatives|website=appropriations.house.gov}}

;112th Congress

• Committee on Appropriations
• Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
• Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government
• Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies

;113th Congress

• Committee on Appropriations
• Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government
• Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (Vice Chair)
• Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

;114th Congress

• Committee on Appropriations
• Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government
• Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
• United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
• Republican Study Committee{{cite web|title=Member List|url=https://rsc-walker.house.gov/|access-date=6 November 2017|archive-date=22 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222002744/http://rsc-walker.house.gov/|url-status=dead}}

;115th Congress

• Committee on Appropriations
• Subcommittee on Homeland Security (Chair)
• Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government
• Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
• Republican Study Committee
• Republican Main Street Partnership{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://republicanmainstreet.org/members/|publisher=Republican Main Street Partnership|access-date=25 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826123025/https://republicanmainstreet.org/members/|archive-date=26 August 2018|url-status=dead}}

• United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus{{cite web|title=Our Members|url=https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|publisher=U.S. House of Representatives International Conservation Caucus|access-date=5 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801155201/https://royce.house.gov/internationalconservation/members.html|archive-date=1 August 2018|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
• Veterinary Medicine Caucus{{cite web|title=Members of the Veterinary Medicine Caucus|url=https://schrader.house.gov/committees/veterinary-medicine-caucus.htm|publisher=Veterinary Medicine Caucus|access-date=12 October 2018|archive-date=27 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090924/https://schrader.house.gov/committees/veterinary-medicine-caucus.htm|url-status=dead}}
• Climate Solutions Caucus{{cite web|title=90 Current Climate Solutions Caucus Members|url=https://citizensclimatelobby.org/climate-solutions-caucus/| publisher=Citizen´s Climate Lobby |access-date=20 October 2018}}
• U.S.-Japan Caucus{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://usjapancaucus-castro.house.gov/members| publisher=U.S. - Japan Caucus|access-date=9 January 2019}}

According to McClatchy, Yoder had by July 2018 voted with Trump 92 percent of the time.{{Cite news|url=https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article215440555.html|title=Day after Air Force One trip, Yoder defies Trump on immigration|work=mcclatchydc|access-date=2018-07-27|language=en}}

In December 2017, Yoder voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/12/19/us/politics/tax-bill-house-live-vote.html?_r=1|title=How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill|last1=Almukhtar|first1=Sarah|date=19 December 2017|website=The New York Times|access-date=28 December 2017}}

Throughout the tax debate, Yoder focused his efforts on lowering the costs of child care as the lead sponsor of the Promoting Affordable Childcare for Everyone Act along with Democrat Stephanie Murphy of Florida.{{Cite news|url=http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/readers-opinion/guest-commentary/article177540071.html|title=PACE Act is a bipartisan path to affordable child care|work=kansascity|access-date=2018-01-16|language=en}} The two representatives met privately with Adviser to the President Ivanka Trump, who focused her efforts on child care throughout the tax debate as well, in October to pitch their legislation for inclusion in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.{{Cite news|url=http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article180655086.html|title=Yoder meets Ivanka Trump to pitch child care tax credits|work=kansascity|access-date=2018-01-16|language=en}} Although the bill was not eventually included in the final tax reform draft, Yoder fought alongside members of the House Ways and Means Committee to preserve child care tax credits and flex spending accounts in the new tax code.{{Cite news|url=http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article182260906.html|title=Republican tax bill would end flex spending accounts for child care|work=kansascity|access-date=2018-01-16|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article183114501.html|title=Revised GOP tax plan restores flex spending accounts for child care after outcry|work=mcclatchydc|access-date=2018-01-16|language=en}}

Yoder was responsible for the so-called "push-out" provision inserted into the 2014 spending bill, the text of which critics argued was written by Citigroup. Yoder denied the claim, arguing the amendment was based on bipartisan legislation called the Swaps Regulatory Improvement Act that had passed the House of Representatives in 2013 with votes from 70 Democrats.{{Cite news|url=http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/readers-opinion/guest-commentary/article5360631.html|title=Rep. Kevin Yoder: Scrapping costly banking regulation is a way to invest in America|work=kansascity|access-date=2018-01-10|language=en}} Yoder's amendment and the 2013 legislation rolled-back Section 716 of the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 dealing with derivatives, credit-default swaps and other instruments (which some argued helped spark the 2008 financial crisis) uninsured by taxpayers if they went bad.{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/15/kevin-yoder-wall-street-bailout_n_6329784.html|title=Kevin Yoder MIA After Tucking Wall Street Bailout Into Government Spending Bill|date=December 15, 2014|work=Huffington Post}}{{cite news|url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/12/15/in-push-out-provision-example-of-how-congress-does-its-job/|title=A Window Into Washington in an Effort to Undo a Dodd-Frank Rule|last=Weisman|first=Jonathan|date=December 15, 2014|work=New York Times}} Yoder said the measure was necessary to prevent smaller regional and community banks from being squeezed out of the swaps derivatives market entirely.{{cite web|url=http://www.kansascity.com/news/government-politics/article4539005.html|title=U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder of Kansas defends measure relaxing banking rules | The Kansas City Star|date=2014-12-16|website=Kansascity.com|access-date=2016-03-04}}{{cite web|url=http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/readers-opinion/as-i-see-it/article5360631.html#/tabPane=tabs-a7245120-1|title=Rep. Kevin Yoder: Scrapping costly banking regulation is a way to invest in America | The Kansas City Star|date=2015-01-04|website=Kansascity.com|access-date=2016-03-04}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2014-12-19/gop-to-warren-that-doddfrank-rollback-was-just-the-appetizer|title=GOP to Warren: That Dodd-Frank Rollback Was Just the Appetizer|last=Wasson|first=Erik|date=December 19, 2014|work=Bloomberg}} In an editorial, the Kansas City Star wrote that Yoder had "played a regrettable role in the raucous government-funding exercise."{{cite news|url=http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article4457182.html|title=Rep. Kevin Yoder helps big banks undo taxpayer protection|date=December 12, 2014|work=Kansas City Star}}

As Chairman of the House Homeland Security Appropriations Committee in 2018, Yoder secured $5 billion for 200 miles of new border barrier construction in the Rio Grande Valley region of the southern border, where cartels currently traffic most of the $64 billion in drugs and people each year into the United States.{{Cite news|url=http://www.kctv5.com/story/38677607/trump-yoder-secures-5-billion-in-funding-for-wall|title=Trump: Yoder secures $5 billion in funding for wall|last=Sloan|first=Nick|access-date=2018-07-27|language=en}} Yoder's bill also secured funding for 400 new ICE agents, 375 new CBP agents, nearly 4,000 new detention beds, money for opioid detection and other border enforcement measures.{{Cite web|url=https://appropriations.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395381|title=Appropriations Committee Releases Fiscal Year 2019 Homeland Security Bill {{!}} Committee on Appropriations, U.S. House of Representatives|website=appropriations.house.gov|language=en|access-date=2018-07-27}} President Donald Trump subsequently tweeted that Yoder has his "full and total endorsement" for re-election, saying he is "strong on crime, strong on border."{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1019695583853010944|title=Donald J. Trump on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=2018-07-27|language=en}} Having lost his 2018 re-election bid, the congressman will likely play an important role in shepherding the final passage of the border wall funding which might be telling on the President's legacy, as well as, determining the congressman's political future.Lowry, Bryan. (November 26, 2018). "President Trump demands a border wall. Will Kevin Yoder get him the money to build it?". [https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/congress/article222012115.html McClatchy DC website] Retrieved 29 November 2018.

Yoder opposed sanctuary cities, which are jurisdictions that do not strictly enforce federal immigration laws, and has pushed legislation to withhold Homeland Security funds from those jurisdictions.{{Cite news|url=https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/the-buzz/article27248950.html|title=TheChat: Roy Blunt goes to bat for those who oppose the same-sex marriage ruling|work=kansascity|access-date=2018-07-27|language=en}}

Yoder sponsored the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act, which would remove the per-nation cap on employment-based green cards, which the Cato Institute estimates is causing a backlog of anywhere between 230,000 and 2 million Indian nationals in the system, forcing them to wait between 50 and 250 years for green cards.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cato.org/blog/no-one-knows-how-long-legal-immigrants-will-have-wait|title=No One Knows How Long Legal Immigrants Will Have to Wait|date=2016-07-28|work=Cato Institute|access-date=2018-01-10|language=en}} The text of the bill was successfully adopted into Yoder's must-pass Homeland Security Appropriations bill in July.{{Cite web|url=https://appropriations.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=395388|title=Appropriations Committee Approves Fiscal Year 2019 Homeland Security Funding Bill {{!}} Committee on Appropriations, U.S. House of Representatives|website=appropriations.house.gov|language=en|access-date=2018-07-27}}

Yoder opposed the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).{{Cite web|url=http://www.ontheissues.org/House/Kevin_Yoder_Health_Care.htm|title=Kevin Yoder on Health Care|website=www.ontheissues.org|access-date=2017-03-22}} On May 4, 2017, he voted to repeal the act and pass the American Health Care Act.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/politics/ahca-house-vote/|title=How the House voted to pass the GOP health-care bill|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=2017-05-04}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/05/04/health-care-vote-puts-pressure-dozens-vulnerable-gop-reps/101297824/|title=Health care vote puts pressure on dozens of vulnerable GOP reps|work=USA TODAY|access-date=2017-05-04|language=en}}

In March 2017, ProPublica reported that Yoder had said that the quality of health care in the country had declined due to the Affordable Care Act, an assertion that ProPublica found to be without proof and in contradiction to some data.{{Cite news|url=https://www.propublica.org/article/we-fact-checked-lawmakers-letters-to-constituents-on-health-care|title=We Fact-Checked Lawmakers' Letters to Constituents on Health Care|last=Ornstein|first=Charles|date=2017-03-22|work=ProPublica|access-date=2017-03-22|language=en}}

Yoder has advocated for increased funding for biomedical research. In 2016, Yoder tried to convince "the most ardent or strident conservatives in the House of Representatives to get them to embrace research" as a fiscally and morally responsible thing to fund. More than 100 House Republicans, including conservative members like Dave Brat, signed onto his letter to House leadership pushing for a $3 billion bump.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/01/national-institutes-of-health-congress-budget/423837/|title=What's Next for the National Institutes of Health?|last=Kelly|first=Nora|website=The Atlantic |date=13 January 2016 |language=en-US|access-date=2016-07-18}} In the end, Congress provided the largest funding increase for research in 12 years.{{Cite web|url=https://www.statnews.com/2015/12/16/congress-nih-funding-increase/|title=Congress gives big funding increase to NIH|date=2015-12-16|website=STAT|access-date=2016-07-18}} At the end of that year, he penned a guest column for Fox News, arguing that support for cures to diseases and federal funding for medical research could be an issue to rally a divided country following the 2016 presidential election.{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/rep-kevin-yoder-heres-a-cause-to-unite-trump-and-clinton-voters/|title=Rep. Kevin Yoder: Here's a cause to unite Trump AND Clinton voters|last=Yoder|first=Kevin|date=2016-11-30|work=Fox News|access-date=2018-01-10|language=en-US}}

In 2017, Yoder vocally opposed the Trump Administration's proposed budget cuts to the National Institutes of Health.{{Cite news|url=https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/yoder-to-fight-nih-cuts-in-administration-budget-proposal|title=Yoder to Fight NIH Cuts in Administration Budget Proposal|date=2017-03-16|work=Congressman Kevin Yoder|access-date=2018-01-10|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111223928/https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/yoder-to-fight-nih-cuts-in-administration-budget-proposal|archive-date=2018-01-11|url-status=dead}} Instead, Yoder worked with colleagues on the House Appropriations Committee to secure another $2 billion funding increase for the NIH for Fiscal Year 2017.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/05/the-new-gop-budget-rejects-trumps-cuts-to-nih/524895/|title=Congress Totally Ignored Trump's Cuts to NIH Funding|last=Kelly|first=Nora|work=The Atlantic|access-date=2018-01-10|language=en-US}}

In 2017, Yoder voted for a Congressional Review Act resolution repealing an Obama-era Federal Communications Commission rule regarding internet privacy. Yoder broke ranks, siding with 190 Democrats (and 14 Republicans) when he voted against allowing internet providers to snoop on users and sell their personal online history.{{Cite news|url=http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article142045569.html|title=Editorial: Rep. Kevin Yoder distinguishing himself as an advocate for internet privacy|work=kansascity|access-date=2018-01-16|language=en}}

In 2013, Yoder, along with Democrat Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO) introduced the Email Privacy Act which prevents law enforcement officials to access email communications without warrants.Tummarello, Kate (June 18, 2014). [https://thehill.com/policy/technology/209730-house-email-privacy-bill-hits-magic-number/ "Bill requiring warrants for email searches hits magic number in House"], The Hill. Congress passed it in 2016 by a vote of 419–0, and again by a unanimous vote in 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/policy/technology/277897-house-unanimously-passes-bill-to-protect-email-privacy/|title=House unanimously passes email privacy bill|last=Trujillo|first=Mario|date=2016-04-27|access-date=2016-07-18}}{{Cite web|url=https://fcw.com/articles/2017/02/07/ecpa-passes-house-again.aspx|title=House passes email privacy act, again -- FCW|website=FCW|date=7 February 2017 |language=en|access-date=2018-01-10}}

Yoder also reintroduced the Kelsey Smith Act, legislation that required cell phone carriers to provide location information to the authorities in situations involving "risk of death or serious physical injury."{{Cite web|url=https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-yoder-reintroduces-kelsey-smith-act-to-help-prevent-violent-crimes|title=Rep. Yoder Reintroduces Kelsey Smith Act to Help Prevent Violent Crimes|date=2016-03-23|access-date=2016-07-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710194513/https://yoder.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-yoder-reintroduces-kelsey-smith-act-to-help-prevent-violent-crimes|archive-date=2016-07-10|url-status=dead}} {{PD-notice}} In May 2016, the bill failed to receive the two-thirds required majority of the House of Representatives to pass under a procedural hurdle, due to privacy concerns.{{Cite web|url=http://cjonline.com/news/2016-05-23/us-house-votes-down-kelsey-smith-act-over-privacy-concerns|title=U.S. House votes down Kelsey Smith Act over privacy concerns|access-date=2016-07-18}}

In September 2017, Yoder voted against a bipartisan deal to increase the debt ceiling while also providing relief to the communities devastated by Hurricane Harvey.{{Cite news|url=http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article172136677.html|title=KC area Republicans vote against Harvey relief, debt ceiling increase|work=kansascity|access-date=2017-09-12|language=en}}

Regarding climate change, Yoder said in 2015, "Global warming is a concern that should be debated, but most proposals require huge amount of American sacrifice with little effect on global temperatures, and we should oppose those at every turn."{{Cite news|url=http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/steve-rose/article31129835.html|title=U.S. Rep. Kevin Yoder of Kansas is firmly in step with the GOP party line|work=kansascity|access-date=2017-09-12|language=en}}

Yoder supported President Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, saying that the costs of the agreement outweighed the benefits.{{Cite news|url=http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article153900724.html|title=KC area Republicans applaud Trump's decision to exit climate deal — with one exception|work=kansascity|access-date=2017-09-12|language=en}}

Yoder has a 100 percent voting record from the National Right to Life Committee for his abortion-related voting record.{{cite web|title=The Voter's Self Defense System|url=https://votesmart.org/candidate/political-courage-test/34433/kevin-yoder/#.WkR15lQ-dE4|website=Vote Smart|access-date=28 December 2017}}

In 2017, Yoder split with President Trump, opposing his announced ban on transgender individuals serving openly in the military.{{Cite news|url=http://cjonline.com/news/local/state-government/2017-07-26/us-reps-jenkins-yoder-split-trump-transgender-military-ban|title=U.S. Reps. Jenkins, Yoder split with Trump on transgender military ban|access-date=2018-01-16|language=en}}

Yoder has a zero rating from the Human Rights Campaign for his LGBT rights voting record. Yoder opposed same-sex marriage and believed it was federal overreach legalizing it nationally.

Yoder and his wife, Brooke, live in Overland Park with their two daughters.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/home/kevin-yoder-new-baby|title=Kevin Yoder's Newest Addition|date=2015-11-16|website=Roll Call|access-date=2016-07-18}} They are members of the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood. Following his service in the House of Representatives, Yoder works as a partner at HHQ Ventures, a DC lobbying firm.{{Cite web |last=Yoder |first=Kevin |title=Kevin Yoder {{!}} Expertise |url=https://hhqventures.com/kevin/index.html}}

In February 2009, Yoder was pulled over for speeding on the K-10 expressway. After passing a field sobriety test, Yoder declined the officer's request to take a roadside Breathalyzer test. The officer cited Yoder for speeding and for refusing to take the breathalyzer test, and then let Yoder drive himself home. In a plea agreement, the speeding charge was dropped. Yoder pleaded guilty to refusing law enforcement's request for a breath test and paid a $165 fine.{{cite news|first=Justin|last=Campbell|url=http://www.pitch.com/news/article/20588513/kevin-yoder-pleaded-guilty-to-refusing-to-take-a-breath-test-refused-to-answer-kmbc-bulldog-mike-mahoneys-questions-video | title=Kevin Yoder Pleaded Guilty to Refusing Law Enforcement's Request For A Breath Test, refused to answer KMBC bulldog Mike Mahoney's questions (video) | work=The Pitch | date=October 26, 2010}}{{cite news|first=Tim|last=Carpenter|title=Yoder's '09 traffic stop clarified|date=October 25, 2010 |url=http://cjonline.com/news/local/2010-10-25/yoders_09_traffic_stop_clarified |work=Topeka Capital-Journal |access-date=October 26, 2010}}{{cite news|first=Tim|last=Carpenter |title=Yoder declined '09 breath test|date=October 23, 2010|url=http://cjonline.com/news/state/2010-10-23/yoder_declined_09_breath_test|work=Topeka Capital-Journal|access-date=October 24, 2010}}{{cite news|first=George|last=Diepenbrock|title=Yoder fined in 2009 for refusing Breathalyzer test|date=October 24, 2010 |url=http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2010/oct/24/kevin-yoder-fined-2009-refusing-breathalyzer-test/ |work=Lawrence Journal-World |access-date=October 24, 2010}}

In 2012, Politico reported that about a year earlier, on August 4, 2011, Yoder partook in a late-night dip in the Sea of Galilee while on a fact-finding trip to Israel with other members of Congress. According to the report, about 20 of the 30 members of the trip joined in, with Yoder swimming nude. Yoder apologized to his constituents and said in a statement that "it was dark out with visibility limited to only a few feet," and said he was in the water for about 10 seconds before climbing out.{{Cite news|url=http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article307257/Congressman-Yoder-apologizes-for-swimming-nude-in-Sea-of-Galilee.html|title=Congressman Yoder apologizes for swimming nude in Sea of Galilee|work=kansascity|access-date=2018-01-16|language=en}} Yoder continued, "Part of the reason I made that decision at that moment was there was really nobody in the vicinity who could see me," he said. "I dove in, hopped right back out, put my clothes on and, regardless, that was still not the behavior people expected out of their congressman." The FBI investigated the matter, however neither Yoder nor any member of his staff were interviewed. Then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, who was present, reprimanded Yoder for the incident.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/21/us/politics/after-skinny-dipping-in-israel-rep-kevin-yoder-is-rebuked.html|title=After Skinny-Dipping in Israel, Rep. Kevin Yoder Is Rebuked|last=Steinhauer|first=Jennifer|date=2012-08-20|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-01-16|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}

;2002 election for state legislature

Kevin Yoder (R) 55%

Kirk Perucca (D) 45%

;2004 election for state legislature

Kevin Yoder (R) 67%

Max Skidmore (D) 33%

;2006 election for state legislature'

Kevin Yoder (R) 58%

Alex Holsinger (D) 42%

;2008 election for state legislature

Kevin Yoder (R) 65%

Gary Glauberman (D) 35%

;2010 election for U.S. House of Representatives

{{Election box begin | title=US House election, 2010: Kansas District 3}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Kevin Yoder

|votes = 136,246

|percentage = 58

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Stephene Moore

|votes = 90,123

|percentage = 39

|change =

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link|

|party = Libertarian Party (United States)

|candidate = Jasmin Talbert

|votes = 6,846

|percentage = 3

|change =

}}

{{Election box total|

|votes = 233,285

|percentage = 100

|change =

}}

{{Election box end}}

;2012 election for U.S. House of Representatives

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Election results, Kansas' 3rd district, November 6, 2012{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.ks.gov/elections/12elec/2012_General_Election_Results.pdf |title=2012 General Election Results |publisher=Kansas Secretary of State|access-date=March 29, 2013}}

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Kevin Yoder (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 201,087

| percentage = 69

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joel Balam

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| votes = 92,675

| percentage = 31

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 293,762

| percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box end}}

;2014 election for U.S. House of Representatives

{{Election box begin no change | title=Kansas's 3rd Congressional District, 2014{{cite web|url=http://www.kssos.org/elections/14elec/2014%20General%20Election%20Official%20Results.pdf |title=2014 General Election Official Totals |publisher=Kansas Secretary of State |access-date=28 April 2015}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Kevin Yoder (Incumbent)

|votes = 134,493

|percentage = 60

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Kelly Kultala

|votes = 89,584

|percentage = 40

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 224,077

|percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box end}}

;2016 election for U.S. House of Representatives

{{Election box begin no change | title=Kansas's 3rd Congressional District, 2016{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.ks.gov/elections/16elec/2016_General_Election_Official_Results.pdf |title=2016 General Election Official Totals |publisher=Kansas Secretary of State |access-date=2 November 2017}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Kevin Yoder (Incumbent)

|votes = 176,022

|percentage = 51.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Jay Sidie

|votes = 139,300

|percentage = 40.6

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Steve Hohe

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| votes = 27,791

| percentage = 8.1

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 343,113

|percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box end}}

;2018 election for U.S. House of Representatives

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Kansas's 3rd Congressional District, 2018{{cite web |title=Kansas Election Results: Third House District |url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/kansas-house-district-3 |website=The New York Times |access-date=November 9, 2018 |date=November 6, 2018}}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Sharice Davids

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 164,253

| percentage = 53.3

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Kevin Yoder (incumbent)

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 136,104

| percentage = 44.2

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Chris Clemmons

| party = Libertarian Party (United States)

| votes = 7,643

| percentage = 2.5

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 308,000

| percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box end}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{commons category}}

• {{C-SPAN|61843}}
• {{CongLinks|congbio=Y000063 |votesmart=34433|fec=H0KS03137|congress=kevin-yoder/2021}}
• [http://maplight.org/us-congress/legislator/1441-kevin-yoder Maplight Campaign Contributions]

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|us-hs}}

{{US House succession box

|state = Kansas

|district = 3

|before = Dennis Moore

|years = 2011–2019

|after = Sharice Davids}}

{{s-prec|usa}}

{{s-bef|before=Michele Bachmann|as=Former US Representative}}

{{s-ttl|title=Order of precedence of the United States
{{small|as Former US Representative}}|years=}}

{{s-aft|after=Hal Daub|as=Former US Representative}}

{{s-end}}

{{KansasUSRepresentatives}}

{{USCongRep-start

| congresses= 112th–115th United States Congress

| state= Kansas}}

{{USCongRep/KS/112}}

{{USCongRep/KS/113}}

{{USCongRep/KS/114}}

{{USCongRep/KS/115}}

{{USCongRep-end}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Yoder, Kevin}}

Category:1976 births

Category:21st-century Kansas politicians

Category:American people of English descent

Category:American people of German descent

Category:American people of Northern Ireland descent

Category:Kansas lawyers

Category:Living people

Category:Republican Party members of the Kansas House of Representatives

Category:Politicians from Overland Park, Kansas

Category:People from Reno County, Kansas

Category:Politicians from Hutchinson, Kansas

Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Kansas

Category:University of Kansas alumni

Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives

Category:21st-century members of the Kansas Legislature