Supporting Servicemembers with Passage of NDAA
NDAA Passage
On Wednesday, I supported the passage of the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support. This important legislation supports our military’s ability to respond to multiple threats globally. It also supports servicemembers and their families, invests in our nation’s weapon stockpiles and much more. The NDAA addresses the recruiting crisis by reinvesting unused personnel dollars into new advertising efforts, highlighting the value of service and by expanding Junior ROTC programming nationwide.

With the passage of the FY2024 NDAA, it is now critical that the Senate moves to consider the annual appropriations bills, particularly for the Department of Defense. As a member of the defense subcommittee on appropriations, I will continue my work to ensure that funding follows to support these important initiatives.

You can read more about the NDAA here.

Love Lives On Amendment
Included in NDAA was my amendment to help the spouses of members of the Armed Forces to maintain certain benefits even if they remarry after the death of their spouse in military service. Surviving spouses are granted certain benefits from the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), but under the current law, those benefits could be terminated if individuals remarry before the age of 55. This specific amendment allows surviving spouses to have access to commissaries and exchanges on U.S. military bases even if they remarry.

A survivor who marries is still a survivor, regardless of when they remarry, and they should not have to choose between getting married again or keeping benefits that are actively supporting their family. This amendment is one piece of the larger puzzle to support military survivors, and I am grateful for its passage. I will continue to work to make certain the full Love Lives On Act is considered in the Senate.

You can read more about the Love Lives On Act in KWCH here.

FAA Reauthorization
On Thursday, I spoke on the Senate Floor to discuss the urgent need to pass a long-term FAA Reauthorization. The current FAA Reauthorization expired on September 30, with a subsequent extension passed until the end of the year. We currently face another short-term extension until mid-March 2024. When I was named lead Republican of the Commerce Aviation Subcommittee, I prioritized passing a long-term reauthorization to make certain the FAA is equipped with the appropriate tools necessary to maintain leadership in the aviation sector. Continuous short-term extensions are detrimental to the agency, industry and flying public. I remain committed to working with my Commerce Committee colleagues to finalize a FAA Reauthorization bill to provide much-needed stability to the industry.

You can watch my floor speech here.

Increasing Transparency in Bank Exams
This week, I introduced the Fair Audits and Inspections for Regulators’ (FAIR) Exams Act with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.). This legislation would bring more accountability to bank examinations by establishing an appeals process to resolve disagreements between banks and regulators by hiring an independent director to review appeals.

The FAIR Act would also provide small leaders with more clarity and representation- allowing them to continue serving their communities efficiently by receiving results faster and more transparently. I look forward to advancing additional policies that will aid our financial system and boost our economy.

You can read more about the FAIR Act here.

Captain Rich Federico Confirmation
I was pleased to see Captain Richard Federico confirmed as the Tenth Circuit Judge this week. He has faithfully served his country through a distinguished career in the Navy JAG Corps, serving as a prosecutor, defense attorney and as a military judge. Captain Federico is a graduate also of the University of Kansas School of Law and I appreciated the opportunity to meet with him in Kansas and Washington, D.C. to discuss his commitment to practice judicial restraint. Congratulations to Judge Federico on his confirmation.

You can read more about Judge Federico in the Kansas City Star here.

National Guard Birthday Celebration
On Thursday I joined the National Guard to celebrate their 387 years of committed service to our country. These citizen-soldiers are often serving their country while maintaining civilian employment, making up a critical component of our military’s strategic reserve. The National Guard is one of our military’s largest forces and continues to deploy in support of America’s interest. Legislation that elevates the National Guard Vice Chief to the rank of four star general was included in the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act will provide the National Guard an equal seat at the table as compared to their service counterparts.
 
Meetings with Kansans
David Thorne
On Tuesday, I met with David Thorne and discussed the importance of minority-owned business to Wichita’s economy and his current position as board member on the Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. I share David’s desire to continue to promote the abundant opportunities for growth Wichita has to offer.



Kansas Hospital Association
On Wednesday, I met with the Kansas Hospital Association Executive Committee in my Washington, D.C. office to get an update on the primary issues facing hospitals in our state. During the meeting, we also discussed the importance of stabilizing the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which allows hospitals and other covered entities to provide care in underserved communities with savings gleaned by purchasing certain outpatient drugs at discounted prices. I am determined to protect the federal programs that offer Kansas’ rural hospitals much-needed assistance to continue their services, especially the new Rural Emergency Hospital designation.

Thank you to Dr. Sherri Vaughn, Bobby Olm-Shipman, George Stover, Harold Courtois, Chad Austin, Audrey Dunkel and Landon Fulmer for taking the time to meet with me and for their work advocating for Kansas hospitals and patients.



Unified Government of Wyandotte County
This week, I met with a delegation representing the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, led by Mayor Tyrone Garner. The group updated me on the Unified Government’s efforts to develop the historic site located at the Quindaro Ruins which I visited in October. We also discussed the Unified Government’s efforts to improve transportation infrastructure, including the region’s planning for the upcoming World Cup.

Thank you to Mayor Garner, Wyandotte County Administrator David Johnson, Kansas City Chamber of Commerce CEO Daniel Silva, and Paul Davis for meeting with me.