Kansas Common Sense
Introducing Legislation to Improve the VA
Jun 26 2023
This week, I introduced the Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act. This legislation would strengthen the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) authority to hold bad employees accountable and put the interests of our veterans first. I was joined by my colleagues, Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), in introducing this important bill in the Senate and by Congressman Mike Bost (R-IL), the chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, who introduced it in the House of Representatives.
You can read more from Military Times here.
Promoting the Air Capital of the World
Kansas has a rich history of aviation and manufacturing with a culture of innovation. Over the past several years, the state has seen a significant amount of new business and expanded opportunities for the companies that currently call Kansas home. As we build on these successes, I was pleased to work alongside the Greater Wichita Partnership and Wichita State University to lead the largest Kansas delegation ever to this year’s Paris Air Show, offering the ideal opportunity to share with the world Kansas’ capabilities in aviation, space and national defense.
Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H) and I joined Bloomberg Markets live from the air show to the importance of the U.S. aviation and defense industry. You can watch the full interview here.
Meeting with President Macron
I also took the opportunity to urge our NATO allies, specifically France, to remain united in our shared support for Ukraine. I met with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss Putin’s unjust invasion of Ukraine and the implications the outcome of this war will have on the security of Europe and the Western Pacific. It is vital NATO allies are united behind Ukraine, and we reaffirmed to President Macron our resolve and long-term commitment to help Ukraine not just survive, but to win. It is an honor to represent Kansas' aviation and manufacturing capabilities on the international stage, as well as our nation's resolve in assisting Ukraine.
Over the weekend, I joined Neil Cavuto on Fox News to discuss Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to China and need to project strength when dealing with China. You can watch the full interview here.
Writing to WSJ Journalist Evan Gershkovich
This week, I joined 30 of my Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Evan Gershkovich, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal who has been wrongfully detained by Russia since March. We expressed our anger over his current circumstances and pledged our support in advocating for his release and the release of Paul Whelan, who has been held unjustly in a Russian jail since 2018. When I met with President Emmanuel Macron of France in Paris, I worked to secure his commitment to work with the United States to bring our fellow citizens home. I hope this letter provides Evan some comfort and demonstrates the importance my colleagues and I place on securing his freedom.
One Year Since Supreme Court Ruling on Roe v. Wade
"It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives.” – Justice Alito, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization
Saturday marked one year since the Supreme Court of the United States struck down Roe v. Wade and ended nearly 50 years of widespread legalized abortion. In the year since this ruling, numerous states have passed laws to restrict abortion and save unborn lives. This ruling has paved the way for states to use their authority to pass laws based on the people they represent. The American people now have the opportunity to make their voices heard through their representatives and the legislative process to pass laws that protect the unborn and support their mothers.
Introducing Commissioner Starks to Commerce Committee
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plays an important role as the primary regulator of the communications industry, and it is important that the right people are selected for its leadership. On Thursday, I questioned three FCC nominees about the role they believe the FCC should play in regulating broadband, access to broadband and securing Americans’ data. The expansion of broadband to Americans currently without access is vital for the economic success of rural parts of the U.S., which is most often where there is no broadband access. But the growth of internet applications has created new pathways for foreign adversaries to siphon off Americans’ personal and sensitive data, creating a national security risk. Congress and federal agencies, like the FCC, must counter this threat. I have introduced legislation to protect American data online and to provide the government the tools necessary to stop entities controlled by foreign adversaries from collecting such data. If these nominees are confirmed, I look forward to working with them to address this issue.
During the hearing, I was pleased to again introduce Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, a native of Leawood, to the committee. I first introduced Commissioner Starks in 2018, when he was nominated for the FCC by President Trump. One of the most important qualifications for an FCC Commissioner to me is the ability to work in a bipartisan, productive manner. Commissioner Starks has experience working on bipartisan issues like broadband access and network security, and I expect this would continue if he were confirmed. It is also important to me that Kansas is well represented in federal institutions, and I appreciate Commissioner Starks bringing Kansas values to the table at the FCC.
Questioning Amtrak Board Nominees During Commerce Hearing
On Wednesday, the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation held a hearing to consider nominations to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), as well as the Amtrak Board of Directors. When President Biden nominated his slate of directors, he did not comply with a provision in the 2021 Surface Transportation Reauthorization I authored, which requires at least four of the eight Amtrak board members to reside in or near regions of the United States that are geographically distributed outside the Northeast Corridor.
During the hearing, I spoke on the importance of a geographically diverse Board of Directors – not dominated by one particular region of the country – and the correct implementation of the law. I have held a long-time interest in making certain that long-distance Amtrak is a priority of the board, even by amending the law to make clearer Amtrak’s value of the long-distance routes. I questioned the nominees on, if confirmed, what their commitment to long-distance service would entail. I strongly urge the President to rescind one of his nominees who resides in the Northeast Corridor and amend his slate to come into compliance with the law.
You can read more from the Hutch Post here.
You can watch my remarks here.
Meeting with Kansans
Congressional Award Gold Medalists
On Wednesday, I met with Kyanne Carlgren and Amara Patel of Leawood to congratulate them on receiving the Congressional Award Gold Medal for their outstanding achievements. The Congressional Award aims to recognize excellence in young people by examining four areas of achievement: Voluntary Public Service, Personal Development, Physical Fitness and Expedition.
Over the course of two years, each awardee completed more than 400 hours of community service, dedicated 200 hours to a personal development activity, 200 hours to physical fitness and completed a 5-day, 4-night expedition. I commend Kyanne and Amara for their incredible accomplishments and selfless work on behalf of others. I was pleased to have the opportunity to congratulate them and their families.
On Thursday, I met with Kansas students from the Electric Cooperative Youth Tour, an organization which has brought high school students to Washington, D.C., for a week in June every year since the late 1950s. Nearly 50,000 students from rural areas and small towns across America have participated in this program. Students apply and are selected for this program by their local electric cooperative and more than 2,400 young people and their chaperones from 44 states participate in the Youth Tour each year. I am always impressed by these students from all across Kansas and enjoy the chance to visit with them each year. I am always encouraged by their commitment to learn about public service, government and preserving the Kansas way of life in our state.
I met with members of the National Association of Fixed Annuities (NAFA) this week and was grateful to be presented with their Legislator of the Year Award. I introduced a Senate Resolution honoring June as National Annuities Awareness Month, recognizing the efforts of groups like NAFA to promote strong financial futures for Kansans. The investments made now in retirement planning stand to benefit generations of hard-working American families, and I will continue to advocate for responsible federal retirement legislation that maintains state-based jurisdiction.
On Thursday, I visited with Madison Coyne of Overland Park, a high school student who served as one of my Senate pages over the summer. I received many compliments from my colleagues who noticed her dedication and hard work during her time serving as a Senate page, and I am grateful to Madison for her time spent serving in our nation’s capital.
This week, I visited with the family of my Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Congressional Fellow Brian Hutchison. During our meeting, I expressed my thanks to his wife Amber and their three children, Caden, Conner, and Charlie, for supporting Brian in the work he does to support our law enforcement. His experience with the DEA provides valuable insight into my work to make certain the men and women in law enforcement have the tools they need to perform their duties. I am grateful to Brian and his family for their sacrifices and heart for public service.
On Wednesday, I led a Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing to examine the Office of Integrated Veteran Care, which is responsible for improving access to care for veterans in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and in the community. I hear every day from veterans in Kansas and across the country who face long wait times, long drive time, bureaucratic red tape and other unacceptable barriers to receiving the VA health care services that they need.
During the hearing, I spoke about one Wichita-area veteran who spent months in debilitating pain before the VA finally diagnosed him with cancer and provided him with the necessary treatments. It is veterans like him who I keep top of mind as the lead Republican on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee as I work to make the VA health care system work better and faster. My bill, the Veterans’ HEALTH (Health Empowerment, Access, Leadership, and Transparency for our Heroes) Act would improve the timeliness and quality of VA care and give veterans a greater ability to choose when, where and how to use their VA health care benefits. The Veterans’ HEALTH Act will be considered during a legislative hearing in a few weeks, and I look forward to moving this important legislation forward. In the meantime, if you are a veteran who is struggling to receive the care you need from the VA, please reach out of my office for help.
You can watch my remarks here.
Providing Keynote at KU Innovation Park 15th Anniversary Luncheon
On Friday, I provided the keynote address for the KU Innovation Park's 15th Anniversary Luncheon. Fifteen years ago, stakeholders from the City of Lawrence, Douglas County, the Lawrence Chamber and the University of Kansas joined together to break ground on a bioscience incubator.
With help from federal, state and local partners, this incubator has grown to 65 companies providing 600 jobs to the local economy. Future plans include 10 buildings and 4,000 jobs for the Lawrence region. I want to offer special thanks to KU Innovation Park Executive Chair LaVerne Epp for the initiation to join and address the group.
Kansans in the Office
Capitol Tour
David Franklin of Shawnee
Brooke Franklin of Shawnee
Teal Franklin of Shawnee
Violet Franklin of Shawnee
Jennifer Bedell of Prairie Village
Amelia Bedell of Prairie Village
Drake Shaw of Overland Park
Lori Shaw of Overland Park
Mary Sites of Wichita
Timothy Sites of Wichita
Michael Bailie of Olathe
Riley Bailie of Olathe
Mark Simpson of Shawnee
Cindy Simpson of Shawnee
Mackenzie Simpson of Shawnee
Mary Birch of Overland Park
Larry Cabe of Overland Park
Jovelyn Cabe of Overland Park
Souraphon Keodouangkham of Wichita
Sarith Yith of Wichita
Nel Son of Wichita
Yasunari Kukuda of Wichita
Michael Riling of Lawrence
Cynthia Riling of Lawrence
Ryan Kopper of Newton
Sara Kopper of Newton
Noah Kopper of Newton
Jenna Kopper of Newton
Jennifer Phillips of Kansas City
Logan Phillips of Kansas City
Charnea Young of Kansas City
Rajesh Jesuraj of Overland Park
Mithran Rajesh Overland Park
United Spinal Association
Allison Merriam of Basehor
Tyra Randle of Kansas City
A’Niah Randle-Tillman of Kansas City
Mark Olive of Basehor
IAMAW District Lodge 70
Teressa Peart of Wichita
Brian Alexander of Wichita
Shaun Junkins of Wichita
Kansas Poor People's Campaign
Kathy Downing of Kansas City
Kolina Winburn of Kansas City
Rev. Dr. Letiah Fraser of Kansas City
Oshara Hayes of Topeka
Chris Overfelt of Kansas City
Rev. Rachel Pryor Lindsborg
Bryson Ripley of Shawnee
Rev. Dan Chadwick of Kansas City
Rev. Dr. Jessica Williams of Merriam
Sheri Ellwood of Little River
Cecilia Belser-Patton of Kansas City
Rev. Tammy Eaton of Kansas City
Essence Miller of Kansas City
Lois Swimmer of Kansas City
Meeting with Kevin Timmons
Kevin Timmons of Overland Park
Scott Redler of Wichita
Adam Mills of Wichita
Janez Lomšek of Overland Park
American Society of Travel Advisors
Jay Dill of Wichita
Becca Dill
Amber Sprague Costa of Parsons
Congressional Award Gold Medalists from Kansas
Kyanne Carlgren of Leawood
Amara Patel of Leawood
Soni Patel of Leawood
Kris Carlgren of Leawood
CNH Industrial Plant Managers Fly-In
Troy Williams of Wichita
Zero to Three
Timothy Fleming of Wichita
Victoria Fleming of Wichita
Mackenzie Fleming of Wichita
Aiden Fleming of Wichita
Americans for Prosperity
Elizabeth Patton of Topeka
Jon Lueth of Topeka
Award Presentation with National Association of Fixed Annuities
Kevin Mechtley of Overland Park
Joy Peterson of Kansas City
Lee Stiegemeier of Overland Park
David Wolfe of Lawrence
Michael Tripses of Stilwell
Andrew Payne of Overland Park
Meeting with President Stuart Bell, University of Alabama
Shannon Francis of Liberal
American Truck Dealers
Austin Bristol of Wichita
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange
Alyssa Boos of Topeka
National Grain and Feed Association
Megan Bierschenk of Wichita
Blake Duden of Overland Park
Mark Hobrock of Overland Park
Ian Keller of Wichita
Bill Krueger of Overland Park
Micala Dummit of Overland Park
Taylor Schienecase of Leawood
Veulet New of Leawood
Kyle Hoffman of Coldwater
American Optometric Association
Todd Fleischer of Topeka
Wayne Gilmore of Parsons
Stacy Clark of Salina
Jeremy Durham of Goddard
Matthew Gerstberger of Garden City
Derek Byrant of Winfield
Eric McPeak of Hiawatha
Cori Dorrell of Highland
Emily Kyle of Roeland Park
Children's Mercy
Dallas Polen of Kansas City
Lisa Horn of Lenexa
Vincent Staggs of Kansas City
Farm Journal Foundation
Dr. Brad White of Manhattan
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship
Kelsey Nepote of Prairie Village
United Way of Greater Kansas City
Todd Jordan of Overland Park
Kristen Engelbrecht of Shawnee
Police Athletic League KCK Youth Group
Tytian Collins of Kansas City
Jackelyn Garcia Navarro of Kansas City
Yuridia Sanchez Rodriguez of Kansas City
Dustin Freeman of Kansas City
Rubi Pirir Olivas of Kansas City
Elaine Moore of Kansas City
Officer Rodney Boston of Kansas City
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Mary Freeman of Mission Hills
Stephanie Freeman of Mission Hills
Kansas Music Educators Association
Jamie Minneman of Assaria
Damian Johnson of Eudora
Mark Gard of Coffeyville
John Taylor of Wichita
Kelly Knedler of Belleville
Holly Taylor of Wichita
Martha Gabel of Olathe
Emaleigh Batson of Leon
Doug Minneman of Assaria
Brandi Johnson of Eudora
Greater Kansas City Community Foundation
Brenda Chumley of Basehor
Debbie Wilkerson of Leawood
Jennifer Phillips of Kansas City
Charnea Young of Kansas City
Newsletter Sign-up Form
Note: Fields marked with an * are required.
