Kansas Common Sense
Protecting Students
Apr 29 2024
Protecting Students
This week I joined my Senate colleagues in calling on Attorney General Merrick Garland and Secretary of the Department of Education Miguel Cardona to outline the steps both the Department of Justice and the Department of Education are taking to protect Jewish students on college campuses. As reported by several national news organizations, pro-Hamas rioters have effectively shut down many campuses with riots featuring an onslaught of disgusting and despicable acts of violence and intimidation towards the Jewish students in attendance of those universities.
I look forward to hearing from the Attorney General and Secretary of Education on the steps they are taking to ensure student safety and will continue to find ways that Congress can be helpful in this effort.
You can read the full letter here.
Senate Passes National Security Supplemental
The Senate overwhelmingly passed the National Security Supplemental sent from Speaker Johnson and the House of Representatives that provides resources for Israel, Ukraine, our Indo-Pacific partners and revitalizes the U.S. defense industrial base. It is vital for the U.S. to be a steadfast and reliable partner in the midst of so many dangers that threaten the world and our own nation’s peace and prosperity.
National security crises abroad and here at home are ever increasing. Iran launched a full-scale attack on Israel; Hamas has stated its intent to wipe Israel off the map; Russia continues its brutal aggression in Ukraine; and China is rapidly modernizing its military and using companies to spy and track Americans. There is no path forward for Ukraine, there is no path forward for Israel or for Taiwan if the U.S. disengages in the world. The price tag is significant, but in the absence of taking a stand now, we have to take a stand tomorrow. Do what we need to do today or pay a price later, and later will be even more costly. In addition, a majority of the funding provided to Ukraine in this package - over 70% - will be directly injected back into the U.S. economy, including manufacturing production in Kansas and the KC-area.
Passing the National Security Supplemental is not a stamp of approval for the Biden administration’s foreign policy agenda. The administration's failures to quickly assist Ukraine has produced devastating consequences. It is now President Biden's responsibility to show the American people he has a plan to support Ukraine and defeat Russia.
I am frustrated that we were unsuccessful in including border policies in this package. The crisis at the southern border is a grave national security threat. The administration’s continued inaction at the border is particularly frustrating, when the administration has many of the tools it needs to improve the situation. I will continue working to pass legislation to protect the border, but at the same time we must also work to bolster our national security in the areas that we can agree upon.
You can watch my speech on the Senate floor here.
Demanding Answers from Bureau of Indian Affairs Regarding Haskell
This week, I demanded answers from Secretary of the Interior, Deb Haaland, regarding allegations of wrongdoing at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence. Since 2017, and on multiple occasions, I have called on leadership at the Department of Interior and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to address the wide array of issues at Haskell. A report, titled, “Haskell Indian Nations University – Administrative Investigation Report, January 13, 2023”, contains findings from a Haskell investigation in 2022, compiled by the BIA, that detailed various concerns, including claims that Haskell had failed to implement a sufficient sexual assault policy, had not correctly applied current sexual assault procedures and had wrongfully terminated the contract of a Haskell employee.
Addressing the longstanding issues faced by the Haskell community requires immediate and decisive action. By failing to respond to the findings of this report in a timely and appropriate fashion, federal employees at the Department of Interior – specifically the BIA – have failed to uphold the federal government’s responsibilities to Native American students. Significant action within the BIA is not only a matter of justice and fairness, but also a crucial step towards fulfilling the federal government's obligations to Native Americans.
You can read more here in the Lawrence Journal-World.
Celebrating American Legion Post #444
On Thursday, I had the honor of presenting the charter for a new American Legion post in Wichita. Post #444 is located at the Oxford Vista residential facility, which makes it easily accessible to the veteran community in Wichita. The post currently has 16 members and is expected to grow as more veterans join the community. This post will be more than just a building – it will be a place where those who share similar experiences can find the comradery and support they knew during their military service and make certain that future generations never forget the sacrifices of the men and women who came before them. I am grateful for organizations like The American Legion (TAL) for continually supporting our nation’s veterans and creating a community where veterans can use the skills they learned during their time in service to continue leading and serving at home.
I would like to thank Kansas Legion Commander Randy Frank and all of the TAL legionnaires, veterans and Oxford Vista staff who were in attendance, and I look forward to seeing how Post #444 will thrive in the Wichita area.
You can read more about the event in KWCH here.
Meetings with Kansans
SOFTwarfare
On Tuesday, I met with Wyatt Cobb, CEO of SOFTwarfare – a company that specializes in cybersecurity by maintaining secure network access and infrastructure that protects some of our nation’s military and commercial infrastructures. Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly important, and the United States must remain ready to address the threats when they become imminent. Based in Prairie Village, SOFTwarfare is also doing important work in expanding cyber opportunities at their Great Bend cyber “shooting range,” where law enforcement and military can train in cybersecurity simulations.
I look forward to working with Mr. Cobb and his team further to continue the expansion of cybersecurity in our great state.
Kansas Electric Cooperatives
This week, I met with the Kansas Electric Co-ops. We spent time talking about preserving a reliable and affordable energy supply, modernizing infrastructure permitting and reducing supply chain challenges. They also voiced their concerns with the U.S. Postal Service’s delivery times. Along with other members of the Kansas delegation, I have continued to press USPS to improve mail delivery times for Kansans. We also discussed the Biden administration’s new emissions standards for power plants which only serve to increase utility costs for co-ops and ratepayers. As Congress debates permitting reform legislation and the Farm Bill, I will look to capitalize on opportunities for electric co-ops.
Thank you to Dennis Svanes of New Strawn, Phil Wages, Keith Leddy, David Light, Steve Epperson, Pat Morse and Coni Adams for meeting with me.
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
On Wednesday, I met with representatives of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City to discuss challenges facing the Hispanic business community in Kansas, including the business recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Latino entrepreneurship, which represented 36 percent of new business formations last year, is creating American jobs and helping boost the U.S. economy. I look forward to continuing to work with the Hispanic Chamber to ensure future success of Hispanic business owners.
Thank you to Carlos Gomez, Israel Mendez, Amanda Villarreal, Sandra Olivas, Daniel Talavera, Iveth Jalinski, Jaime Kaplan, Sharon Forni, Alex Santoro, Rob McCall, Alexandro Garcia, Luis Noble, Adolfo Uriarte, Carlos Valls and Shelly Armato for meeting with me.
Announcing Resources for Kansas
Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation
This week, I announced funding for the Timber’s Apartments in Wichita. The Timbers provides affordable housing and resources for those with physical disabilities. These facility upgrades will give residents more access to technology, community resources, transportation to medical appointments and so much more. It was great to have the opportunity to advance such a worthy cause, and I am extremely grateful for the work the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation does for Kansans. I look forward to seeing the impact that this investment has on the community and Timbers’ residents.
Thank you to those that played a role in this project, especially Pat Jonas and the Timbers staff, the local community partners in Wichita and Sedgwick County Commissioners Pete Meitzner and Jim Howell who helped make this event a success.
Nemaha Valley Community Hospital
On Friday, I joined Nemaha Valley Community Hospital to announce a federal investment that will be used to construct an additional 23,413 square feet to the facility, creating space for a new inpatient care wing, emergency department expansion and radiology suite. As a senior member of the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, I was able to help secure resources for the project. Rural health care facilities offer a lifeline to Kansans, but often these facilities need assistance to continue growing and expanding to meet patient needs and the needs of the community. The federal investment we celebrated on Friday will assist Nemaha Valley’s expansion efforts, ease the pressure to find or raise the funding, and offer increased access to quality care for the Seneca community.
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