National Security Starts with the Border
This week, I addressed my colleagues on the Senate Floor about the necessity of securing our southern border, supporting Israel and countering Russian, Chinese and Iranian aggression. Addressing these issues are critical to protecting our national security, and it is within the capacity of the Senate to mitigate these crises with strong legislation before the end of this year.

The administration's failure to control the border has created not just a humanitarian crisis but a national security crisis. The border is the single most important line of defense in disrupting drug trafficking and distribution networks.

We also must provide Israel with the means to defend itself and destroy Hamas while preventing escalation from Iran and other adversaries who may use this opportunity to gain more control in the region. Additionally, should Russia fully conquer Ukraine, more Russian forces will be spread across NATO’s border, requiring more of America’s resources to defend our allies against Russian aggression.

I stand ready with my colleagues to secure the border and support Israel and Ukraine. Support for our allies and defending the border are not mutually exclusive, and we must do both. It is time to come together and resolve our differences on these urgent national security issues.

You can watch my floor speech here.

Supporting Rural Hospitals
This week, I introduced the Rural Emergency Hospital Adjustment Act to allow previously closed rural hospitals to potentially re-open. This process would allow rural hospitals to apply for the Rural Emergency Hospital designation if they can demonstrate they met all eligibility requirements between January 1st, 2015, and December 27th, 2020. Currently, hospitals are only eligible for the designation if they met the requirements when the legislation was signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020.

Access to health care in Kansas and small communities across the country is critical to the survival of rural America. More than 100 rural hospitals have closed since 2015, and this legislation will allow these hospitals an opportunity to re-open and serve their communities.

You can read more about the Rural Emergency Hospital Adjustment Act in the Salina Post, here.

Collecting Toys for Children in Need
This Tuesday, I was able to host the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee open house for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program with Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.). Toys for Tots is an annual program conducted by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to collect toys for children in need who may be less fortunate during the holiday season. They distributed more than 24.4 million toys, books and games to 9.9 million children last year, with the help of more than 50,000 volunteers.

As Ranking Member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, it’s an honor to host an event that helps bring joy and holiday cheer to children in Kansas and across the country. I want to thank the active duty servicemembers, veterans and volunteers who work year-round to make certain that this event and foundation succeed in providing joy to children during the holidays.



Making Sure Kansas Farmers are Treated Fairly
This week, I sent a bipartisan and bicameral letter to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack outlining my concerns with USDA’s 2022 Emergency Relief Program. In 2022, Kansas ranked second among all other states, with total crop losses over $3.3 billion primarily incurred from drought conditions. I asked Secretary Vilsack a series of questions on the development of the 2022 ERP payment structure, which is a far departure from previous disaster programs and my serious concern about the yearlong delay in implementing an emergency program. I have asked Secretary Vilsack to reevaluate the 2022 ERP to be more in line with the previous disaster programs and ensure the program returns to an equitable and uniform approach to administering disaster assistance as well as refunding crop insurance premiums for all eligible producers.

You can read more about the letter in the High Plains Journal, here.

Announcing Funding to Connect the Heartland Flyer to Kansas
On Friday, I announced a $500,000 grant from the Federal Railroad Administration to begin planning and developing an extension of Amtrack’s Heartland Flyer. This project will connect existing rail between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth with Wichita, Newton and Arkansas City.

Connecting communities across these three states will support new economic opportunities for businesses and provide a new means of travel along this busy route. I am pleased to see the first step in this corridor progress and look forward to seeing the project benefit Kansas and the region and look forward to continued dialogue with local stakeholders.

You can read more about the announcement in KWCH, here.

Accepting the Dairy Foods Association Leadership Award
On Wednesday, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) presented me with the IDFA Leadership Award in recognition of my leadership in food, nutrition and agricultural policymaking that has helped support the Kansas and the U.S. dairy industry. Kansas is home to more than 200 small, medium and large dairy farms, producing 4.1 billion pounds of milk in 2022, ranking Kansas 16th in milk production. The IDFA Leadership Award is given annually to members of the legislative and executive branches of the federal government who have shown outstanding leadership in support of U.S. dairy policy priorities. Thank you for presenting me with this award, and I will continue my work in the United States Senate on behalf of the Kansas dairy industry.



Recognizing the American Battle Monuments Commission
This week the Senate unanimously passed a resolution I led with Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) that recognized the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) for a century of service to our nation’s fallen warriors. The ABMC was founded by Congress to commemorate the service and sacrifice of the United States Armed Forces through maintaining 26 cemeteries and 32 memorials in 17 countries and territories. Nearly 124,000 American war heroes are buried in cemeteries operated by the ABMC, and more than 94,000 Americans who were lost or buried at sea from World War I to the Vietnam War are remembered at these cemeteries and memorials.

I also recognized the work of then-Major and 34th U.S. President from Kansas, Dwight D. Eisenhower, for his foundational work of developing the ABMC’s guidebook for Americans traveling overseas to visit loved ones’ graves, battle sites and memorials. It was an honor to lead this effort to commend the last 100 years of service by the ABMC, and I look forward to supporting their efforts for many more years to come.

You can read the about the resolution here.

Meeting with Prairie Band Potawatomie Nation
This week, I had the opportunity to meet with leaders of the tribal community to discuss issues facing American Indians in Kansas and across the nation. During our meeting, Chairman Joseph Rupnick of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and Anthony Hillard of the Lummi Nation shared with me the devastating impact which the fentanyl crisis has had on Indian country.

To address the American fentanyl crisis and to ensure the safety of vulnerable populations, I will continue to work in partnership with leaders of the tribal community and invest in drug prevention and awareness programs. Thank you to Chairman Rupnick, Chairman Hillard and Ryan Seelau of the National Congress of the American Indians for the conversation and for their efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis and strengthen their communities.



Meetings with Kansans
Coffeyville City Commissioners
On Monday, I had the opportunity to meet with the City Commissioners of Coffeyville. I was glad my staff and I could hear about ways we can continue to assist Kansans and residents in Coffeyville.



NAIFA
On Tuesday, I met with Kansas members of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) to discuss the headwinds facing agents and advisors in the Kansas insurance industry. We talked about the new Department of Labor fiduciary standard that introduces additional regulations that are already achieved by the rules in place. This will result in unnecessary burdens for Kansas financial service providers and additional costs passed on to Kansas families. 

I will continue to work to protect a fair playing field for providers while also safeguarding Kansans from financial harm. Thank you to Brad Noller and Shane Grau for visiting with me in Washington, D.C.



Kansas Housing Association
Later on Tuesday, I met with the Kansas Housing Association (KHA) to discuss critical housing issues facing Kansas. We discussed the importance of the Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act, a bipartisan bill that would allow expanded investment of the low-income housing tax credit in communities across Kansas. I also spoke to KHA about the bipartisan letter I sent to Secretary Yellen on critical LIHTC investments in rural communities.

Expanding affordable housing will remain a priority for me in Washington, and I will continue to address this issue on the federal level to deliver results for Kansans. Thank you to KHA President Trey George, KHA Secretary Kelsey Herr, Former KHA President Matt Gillam, KHA Board Member Josh Yurek and KHA Executive Director Doug Smith for meeting with me.



Yarsulik Family
It was also great to see the Yarsulik family traveling to Washington, D.C. from Olathe. I was able to catch up with during their tour of the Capitol and hear about their visit to Washington, D.C.



Attending Harold Stone's Funeral
This week, I was attended a funeral service for Harold Stones in Topeka. An exceptional Kansan, Harold was a behind-the-scenes giant that always treated others with care and compassion. Robba and I are keeping his loved ones in our prayers, and he will be dearly missed.

Read more about Harold’s life here.

Visits Across Kansas
Holton High School
On Friday, I visited Holton High School, where I met with students, teachers and administrators and toured Holton’s campus. I am grateful to the FFA Officers for being my hosts and wish the students and staff all the best as they finish out the semester and enter the well-deserved respite of the holiday season.

Thank you to Principal Jeremy Truelove and Head Secretary Heather Ent for their time and to the FFA Officers who showed me around Holton’s campus.



Sabetha's Keim Trucking Services
On Friday afternoon, I toured Keim Trucking Services’ headquarters in Sabetha, Kansas. The Kiem’s have been in the trucking business since 1955 and have expanded their operations from just two trucks to carrying over 50,000 loads throughout the United States every year. I enjoyed learning more about their business and the ways in which they are advancing the reliability and efficiency of the trucking industry. Thank you to the Kiem family for hosting me and to all the hardworking individuals at Keim TS.

Frankfort
This weekend, I stopped by Frankfort to visit the community. I went to the city library, post office, First National Bank and City Hall. I was also able to visit Suther's Feeds and City Hill Bakery on my way out of town. Thank you to the people of Frankfort for making my stop so enjoyable.



KU Men’s Basketball Game
On Saturday, I was at Allen Fieldhouse to watch the Kansas Jayhawks beat the Missouri Tigers, 73-64. #RockChalk