Praying for our Country

Praying for our Country
The assassination attempt on former President Trump took the life of an innocent father, injured President Trump and was an attack on our democratic process. I am relieved President Trump is doing well, and I mourn the life of the citizen who died and pray for our country.

I spoke to the FBI Executive Assistant Director of the National Security Branch today and received an update on the ongoing investigation into the assassination attempt. Our federal law enforcement officers are working hard to figure out how this happened, why it happened and what steps need to be taken to make certain it never happens again. Congress will also do a full investigation of the assassination attempt and determine if there were lapses in security. The American people need and deserve to know.

We need to turn the political temperature down in this country. And elected officials on both sides of the aisle need to lead by example. I am pleased the Speaker Mike Johnson and President Biden both reiterated this message. There will always be disagreements in politics, but we must treat one another with dignity and respect. This is a time to come together as a country and remember that we are blessed to all live in the greatest country on earth.

Honoring Kansan of the Year Mitch Holthus
On Tuesday evening I joined the Kansas Society of Washington to honor the 2024 Kansan of the Year, Mitch Holthus. Mitch has been the Voice of the Kansas City Chiefs for over 30 years and was previously the Voice of the K-State Wildcats. He was raised on a family farm outside of Smith Center and continues to be an advocate for Kansas high school football and the Home on the Range Cabin in Smith County. Mitch regularly brings Chiefs players to high schools and military bases across Kansas or to fundraisers for the Home on the Range Cabin, which is run by his dad, ElDean. Mitch’s wife, Tami, also does incredible work to support our law enforcement at the Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission. There is no doubt that Mitch is one of the best sports broadcasters to ever be in the booth, but what he does for our community, our troops and our veterans is truly what makes him great and why he was honored as the 2024 Kansan of the Year.

While he was in Washington, D.C., I had the opportunity to take Mitch, his wife Tami and his dad ElDean on a tour of the Capitol. I also would like to thank the Kansas Society of Washington for organizing a great event this week.

You can read more about Mitch’s recognition here.

Addressing the VA’s Shortcomings on Caring for Veterans
This week, I spoke on the Senate floor to call on the Biden administration to immediately correct course and lift the restrictions that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is putting in place to limit veterans’ access to care in the community. For veterans, particularly those in rural states like Kansas, the ability to receive care closer to home can be lifesaving. In most cases, distance to a VA medical center is the cause of a veteran wanting to seek care in the community, but sometimes it is for medical expertise or specialty. However, under the law and in all instances, veterans should have the right to choose where they receive care. Under the Biden administration, VA is not allowing veterans to have a real voice in their health care decisions, and veterans are unfortunately paying the price.

Recently, 19 of my fellow Republican colleagues joined me in a letter to VA Secretary McDonough demanding that VA act to lift these restrictions and empower veterans to choose when, where, and how to receive the care they have earned and deserve. I am thankful to my colleagues for coming together to demand change and action from VA to better help our veterans.

You can watch my full floor speech here.

Welcoming World Leaders
NATO Summit
This week, heads of state and world leaders gathered in Washington, D.C. for the annual North Atlantic Treaty Organization Summit. Today, the NATO alliance remains important in preserving American peace and prosperity by ensuring European security, deterring Russian aggression and minimizing global threats to the safety of Americans at home. Throughout the week, I joined my colleagues and leaders of NATO member countries to discuss how the alliance should approach 21st-century threats. A priority conversation of the week was discussing the need for all NATO allies to achieve the agreed upon defense spending requirement of 2% GDP. As of June, only 23 of 32 NATO members had met that requirement. To ensure the success of the alliance, all NATO members must contribute a meaningful share of collective defense.

President Zelenskyy
On Wednesday, I joined a bipartisan group of Senators to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During our meeting, President Zelenskkyy provided updates on his fight against Russia’s unprovoked attack. The United States must make certain that our NATO allies are supported and Vladimir Putin is held accountable for his aggression. The United States has the capability to provide further resources to Ukrainians through defensive military equipment, food aid and medical supplies, and we must demonstrate through our actions that we stand with Ukraine and our European allies in the fight for democracy. America should do what America does best – protect freedom and liberty for our own citizens and for people around the world.

Addressing Data Privacy and Artificial Intelligence Concerns
On Thursday, I participated in a hearing about the impact of artificial intelligence on the data privacy and security of Americans. A survey last year found that strong majorities of Americans are concerned about how companies are using their personal data and believe that artificial intelligence will lead to companies using their data in ways people are not comfortable with. That is why I introduced the Consumer Data Privacy and Security Act to strengthen existing laws that govern consumers’ personal data and create clear standards and regulations for American businesses that collect, process and use consumers’ personal data.

I will continue to work with my colleagues to pass comprehensive data privacy and security reform that Americans need to trust that businesses collect, process and protect their personal information.

You can watch my questioning here.

Calling on Congress to Uphold War Powers Act
On Thursday, I spoke on the Senate floor about the poorly conceived and poorly executed Gaza pier. The Gaza pier, meant to bring aid and relief to the people of Gaza, was a failure that cost taxpayers millions of dollars and put our nation’s troops at risk. I have great admiration and respect for those that serve our country, and it is for that reason that the power to send our sons and daughters into dangerous situations should not reside with the Executive branch alone. Congress must exercise its constitutional responsibilities any time our Armed Forces are placed in harm’s way.

You can watch my floor speech here.

Discussing 340B with Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America
On Wednesday, I met with drug manufacturer CEOs and PhRMA leadership to discuss my efforts with the Senate 340B Working Group to develop comprehensive reforms to the 340B drug pricing program. We talked about our group’s SUSTAIN 340B draft and the need for current 340B reform. The savings that come from the 340B program is critical to hospitals, health centers and safety-net providers across the country, enabling entities to offer discounted prescription drugs to low-income and uninsured patients and expand critical health care services to their communities.

As my colleagues and I look forward to introducing our SUSATIN 340B bill soon, conversations like these are essential to ensuring we developed consensus legislation that all 340B stakeholders can support so Congress can work towards passing reform later this year.

Recognizing Kansas West Point Cadets
On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to attend the West Point Cadet Reception. This event is a chance for my colleagues and I to meet with cadets who are spending parts of their summer in Washington, D.C. to learn more about government and how it will influence their future careers as U.S. Army Officers. It was great to talk to Cadets Lukas Haase and Nick Murphy who are both Overland Park natives going into their 3rd-Class year at the academy. Lukas is spending part of his summer interning in my office while Nick is visiting with a group of cadets as they explore the political foundations of our country. They both told me that their next stop this summer is the Army Air Assault school where they will be representing our state.

Thank you to both Nick and Lukas for their service to our country and representing Kansas at the United States Military Academy.

Meeting with Kansans
Kansas Farm Bureau
On Tuesday, I met with the Kansas Farm Bureau in my Washington, D.C. office. We discussed the upcoming Farm Bill and the challenges associated with the Department of Energy’s National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NEITC) proposal to expedite the development of transmission grid expansion projects.

Thank you to President Joe Newland and Ryan Flicker for the conversation.

Smoky Hill Schools
On Wednesday, I met with students from Bennington and their families while they were in Washington, D.C. It was great to hear about their summer plans and upcoming school activities in the fall. Thank you for meeting with me.

Lindsborg Schools
I also met with students and their families from Lindsborg. Each year, students from Lindsborg visit Washington, D.C. to learn about our government and history. Thanks to the students, families and Rick Reed for visiting with me.

Visits Across Kansas
Caldwell Regional Medical Center
On Monday, I met with community leaders in south-central Kansas to tour Caldwell Regional Medical Center (CRMC.) As a Critical Access Hospital, CRMC provides rural Kansans with the care they need to help their communities thrive. I introduced legislation to support rural hospitals as they struggle to make ends meet since they are vital to keeping rural America afloat. I will continue working to improve access to rural health care in Washington, D.C.

Thanks to CRMC CEO Jeremy Ensley, CFO Rachel Sproul and hospital staff for inviting me to see the work you do for Kansans. Thank you also to Kansas Sen. Larry Alley, Kansas Reps. Bill Rhiley and Kyle Hoffman and to Caldwell Police Chief Rebekah Rickstrew for your commitment to CRMC.

Kanokla
Later on Monday, I visited the Kanokla office in Caldwell. While there, I visited with CEO Jill Kuehny and staff to hear about the good work they are doing in Caldwell and other south central Kansas communities. I look forward to continuing to work with Kanokla to provide reliable telecommunication and broadband service to the areas they serve.

Thank you to Jill and the Kanokla staff for taking the time to speak with me.

Northeast Johnson County Chamber
At the end of the week, I stopped by the Northeast Johnson County Chamber of Commerce After Hours event hosted by Strip’s Chicken & Brewing in Merriam. Thank you to CEO Deb Settle for allowing me to stop by and visit with Chamber members and thank you to Strip’s Owner Todd Johnson for hosting me.

Announcing Resources for KVC
On Friday, I was in Olathe to announce new federal resources for KVC Health Systems. These funds will be used to implement a customized genealogy system that will be deployed to identify measures aimed at preventing suicide among young people. This system will incorporate factors like social connections, knowledge of parenting and family involvement to proactively identify and address predictors of youth suicidal ideation and action. I look forward to seeing this program develop and to witnessing its impact in Olathe and beyond.

I am grateful to KVC CEO Jason Hooper and CIO Lonnie Johnson for welcoming me to their facilities on Friday and for their leadership of this critical care delivery organization. Thank you to the many doctors, nurses, and administrative staff at KVC in Olathe for their work and the instrumental role they play in providing the people of Olathe and surrounding areas with excellent care.

Remembering Joe Engle
This week, Kansas astronaut and space pioneer Joe Engle passed away. Joe was a Chapman native whose career started with the early years of the Apollo missions. He went on to command several space shuttle missions. Joe was proud to be a Jayhawk, an Air Force pilot and an astronaut.

Read more about Joe here.

Celebrating Dana Anderson
On Saturday, I joined members of the Lawrence community to celebrate Dana Anderson’s 90th birthday. Dana has played a large role in supporting the athletics department at the University of Kansas and LMH Health in Douglas County.

Kansans in the Office
Capitol Tours

Abby Audiss of Ottawa

Angela Audiss of Ottawa

Joshua Audiss of Ottawa

Jason Audiss of Ottawa

Jack Dalton of Emporia

Jake Dalton of Emporia

Jennifer Dalton of Emporia

Nicole Dalton of Emporia

Jingjing Ding of Manhattan

Dustin Duntz of Manhattan

Kari Duntz of Manhattan

Kaylee Duntz of Manhattan

Maycee Duntz of Manhattan

Bethany Ens of Girard

Sunena Chandra of Overland Park

Sethu Gopidalai of Overland Park

Addison Hedges of Ottawa

Lindsey Hedges of Ottawa

Amy Hind of Madison

Nathan Hind of Madison

Elden Holthus of Kansas City

Mitch Holthus of Kansas City

Tami Holthus of Kansas City

Mingxiang Huang of Manhattan

Catherine Li of Overland Park

Christina Li of Overland Park

Samuel Li of Overland Park

Jingru Luo of Overland Park

Dana Mathia of Wichita

Mike Mathia of Wichita

Rachel Mathia of Wichita

Trevor Mathia of Wichita

Abraham Meitner of Hays

Celeste Meitner of Hoisington

Chad Meitner of Hays

Charles Meitner of Hays

Henry Meitner of Hays

James Meitner of Hoisington

Julia Meitner of Hays

Leo Meitner of Hays

Sarah Meitner of Hays

James Morgan III of Wichita

James Moran IV of Wichita

Jessica Morgan of Wichita

Lindsey Morgan of Wichita

Jane Richard of Delphos

Griffin Richard of Leawood

Stephen Richard of Delphos

Dusten Stigge of Overland Park

Lihong Wu of Overland Park

340B Health
Sarah Dodson of Pittsburg

Bruce Witt of Wichita

Americans for the Arts - City of Wichita
Lindsay Benacka of Wichita

Black and Veatch
Thomas Allen of Overland Park

Brydon Ross of Overland Park

Ernst & Young
Mark Godfrey of Overland Park

Heinen Brothers Agriculture Services
Lukas Koch of Seneca

Chad Tenpenny of Leawood

Kansas Army National Guard
Raymart Ekstein of Wichita

Michael Joseph of Junction City

Julianna Koepper of Mfsetph

Joshua Reed of Kansas City

Kansas Corn
Taylor Williamson of Manhattan

Kansas Farm Bureau
Ryan Flickner of Manhattan

Joe Newland of Neodesha

Kansas School Superintendents Association
G.A. Buie of Gardner

Starkica Dawn of Kansas City

Adrian Howie of Hugoton

Kansas State University
Matt Casey of Manhattan

Jaylen Lane of Manhattan

Jane Scher of Manhattan

Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition
Eric Arganbright of Bel Aire

Susila Jones of Kansas City

Kayla Knur of Garden City

Vanessa Matt of Kansas City

Zineta Petrovic of Topeka

Katie Wiegand of Kansas City

Land O’Lakes/Alliance Agriculture and Grain
Stan Stark of Pratt

National Foundation for Ecodermal Dysplasias
Luci Capo Rome of Olathe

Darcy Kaye of Overland Park

Will Kaye of Overland Park

Jeremy Marshall of Overland Park

Selena Marshall of Overland Park

Salina Family Healthcare
Derek Pihl of Salina

The Land Institute
Brandon Kaufman of McPherson County

Rachel Stroer of Salina

Washburn University
John Pinegar of Topeka

VETAir
Dr. Joel Erskin of Wichita

Kansas Common Sense

Praying for our Country

Jul 15 2024

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