U.S. Senator for Kansas, Jerry Moran

Great Bend Tribune: Answering the call

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 12:00:00 EST

Great Bend Tribune | Dale Hogg

Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran told the American flag-waving crowd at the Great Bend Airfest Veterans Recognition Ceremony Saturday night he has a deep appreciation for those who served this nation in the armed forces.

“I am not a veteran,” said Moran, who was born in Great Bend and grew up in Russell and Plainville. But, “I graduated from high school as the Vietnam War was ending. I saw how those who did serve were treated when they returned home.”

He took a vow then to do everything he could to set that right. Long a veterans’ advocate, he is the longest serving senator on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

“I respect those who served,” he said. “I want to make sure the promises we made to them are kept.”

As he spoke, the wind whipped the many American flags on the airport tarmac. The sun crept downward to the western horizon, bathing the scene in an orange glow.

“Thank you to all of you who answered the call,” Moran said. “You have my respect.”

He said he is angered at how America withdrew from Afghanistan. Among other consequences, many who served there now feel their service was in vain, and as a result, the number of calls to the veterans’ suicide help line has doubled.

“You did what you had to do,” he said, speaking to vets from the 20-year War on Terror. “The fault is not with you. The fault is with those in suits in Washington.”

He said the sacrifices of those who went to war remind him that his job transcends the petty squabbles of the nation’s capital. Everyone should respect, thank and love veterans.

It was fitting this ceremony took place at the airport. The facility got its start during World War II as an Army Airbase where B-29 bomber crews were trained.

Hometown welcome

Before Moran gave his address, he was honored as a native son of Great Bend. He was joined on stage by Great Bend Mayor Cody Schmidt, City Administrator Kendal Francis and Community Coordinator/Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Christina Hayes.

The city officials unveiled a new sign that will be displayed prominently. It reads “Great Bend, Kansas, Proud Home of Sen. Jerry Moran.”

“Your leadership has made extreme ripples across the State of Kansas, across nation and around the world,” Hayes said.

Moran said he was proud of his heritage and connections to this community

The fest, which takes place every three years, showcases vintage warbirds, aerial acrobatics, and the community’s World War II history along with paying tribute to the nation’s military veterans.

The three-day event, which ends Sunday, includes educational tours, aircraft displays, historical displays, warbird and helicopter rides and airshows.

Protecting Taxpayer Rights from the Administration’s Reckless Tax-and-Spend Spree

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 12:00:00 EST

Protecting and Empowering Athletes

Speaking at the Senate Judiciary Hearing on FBI’s Dereliction of Duty in the Larry Nassar Case

On Wednesday, I provided opening remarks at the Senate Judiciary hearing on the Inspector General’s report that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) failed to act on information it received regarding Larry Nassar’s abuse of athletes. The hearing included testimony from Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Maggie Nichols and McKayla Maroney and from FBI Director Christopher Wray and Inspector General Michael Horowitz.

The day after Nassar was sentenced to prison in 2018, I launched an investigation with Sen. Richard Blumenthal into the systemic abuse within the U.S. Olympic movement. One question that stuck with me since the very beginning of our investigation was, ‘Why was there more than one?’

It was during the course of this investigation that we uncovered evidence that the FBI received credible information of the dangers Nassar posed to athletes, yet did not take additional actions. Since then, I questioned the FBI Director multiple times regarding these findings and the FBI’s willingness to prioritize and take the Inspector General’s recommendation seriously.

Following our eighteen-month investigation that included four subcommittee hearings, interviews with Olympic athletes and survivors, and the retrieval and review of over 70,000 pages of documents, Sen. Blumenthal and I introduced the Empowering Olympic, Paralympic, and Amateur Athletes Act to reform the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. This legislation was signed into law on October 31, 2020.

I remain committed to working with my colleagues in the Senate and the survivors to protect and empower all athletes. As the Ranking Member of the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees the Department of Justice, I will work to make certain the FBI agents are held accountable for their actions. Our goals should remain the same – to hold those accountable for these crimes and to make certain future generations can train, compete and succeed without fear of abuse.

Protecting Taxpayer Rights and Privacy Legislation

In order to fund the Democrats’ tax-and-spend spree, the Biden administration has proposed drastically increasing the size and scope of the IRS. This strategy would require the IRS to hire nearly 90,000 new employees and would intrude into Americans’ financial accounts by requiring the potential disclosure of annual inflows and outflows for accounts over $600. Additionally, President Biden’s plan would impose an incredible compliance burden on community lenders with limited human capital.

This week, I cosponsored the Tax Gap Reform and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Enforcement Act, which aims to prevent the IRS from targeting Americans for their political or ideological beliefs and prevent IRS funding from being used to track Americans’ private financial transactions. This legislation puts important guardrails in place to protect local lenders’ capacity to serve their customers. Furthermore, this bill would codify President Biden’s pledge to not increase audits of taxpayers making less than $400,000 per year and prohibit invasive reporting requirements.

The Biden Administration’s invasive approach would infringe on taxpayer privacy and impose burdensome requirements on community banks and credit unions.

The Collapse of Afghanistan

On Tuesday, I took to the U.S. Senate floor to demand accountability from the Biden administration for the poorly executed plan that led to this outcome.

The chaos and collapse of Afghanistan was a result of weak and incompetent leadership. Since the September 11th attacks, I have visited Afghanistan four times. Over the course of those visits, I saw the progress made by our troops and civilians, our NATO allies and Afghan partners.

Americans deserve answers on how our withdrawal from Afghanistan went so horribly wrong, how we will remedy the complex security situation in the country, how we will help the Afghan women and girls who are already being persecuted and how we will make certain this never happens again.

Hosting a Kansas Wheat Tour

Kansas leads the nation in the production of wheat, and as a key economic driver of our state’s agricultural economy, it is important that Kansas continues to invest in wheat research and innovation.

On Thursday, I held a wheat tour in Manhattan, where I visited with Kansas Association of Wheat Growers (KAWG) Board of Directors members. Together, we visited the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center where we spoke with wheat experts about how their research and training operations will ensure Kansas’ leadership in the years to come. We toured a laboratory used by Grain Craft to conduct research as part of their partnership with Kansas Wheat, and I discussed Grain Craft’s operations across Kansas with VP Nick Weigel. The Kansas Wheat Innovation Center represents our state’s largest farmer investment in wheat research, and its role in wheat genetics research will continue to provide farmers in Kansas and around the world with the cutting edge wheat varieties that will lead to the highest yields with the most efficient and sustainable production methods.

From there, we went to Kansas State University’s Hal Ross Flour Mill, where the Grain and Feed Science students and faculty use the state-of-the-art facility for teaching, research and industry training purposes for whole-grain products including sorghum, corn, beans and pulses. The mill holds some of the most cutting edge equipment found in the commercial flour milling industry, and we were able to see one of its production runs while we were there.

Thank you to Claudia Hissong of Kansas Farm Bureau, Dennis Hupe of Kansas Soybean and Randy Stookey of the Kansas Agribusiness Retailers and the Kansas Grain and Feed Associations for joining me and for your commitment to Kansas’ leadership in agriculture innovation. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, I will continue to champion agricultural research and the farmers and ranchers in Kansas and across the county who benefit from these initiatives.

Read more from the Kansas State Collegian here.

Leading Veterans’ Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act

Prostate cancer is currently the number one cancer diagnosed by the Veterans Health Administration, and early detection should be a priority of the VA. This week, I introduced legislation, the Veterans’ Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act, to help support critical research and expedite prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment for veterans. Additionally, this important legislation will require the VA to establish and publish an interdisciplinary clinical diagnosis and treatment pathway in the VA National Surgery Office, direct VA to establish a metric-driven prostate cancer program utilizing the clinical pathway mandated in this legislation, expand upon the current VA and Prostate Cancer Foundation partnership and direct VA to submit a report to Congress on the barriers and challenges associated with creating a national prostate cancer registry. This bill will make a real difference in the lives of veterans, and I remain committed to passing it into law.

Hosting NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan in Kansas

On Friday, I hosted National Science Foundation (NSF) Director Sethuraman Panchanathan on a tour of three locations in Kansas. The NSF provides grants to support research and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education across the country, and this tour highlighted how NSF funding has benefited Kansans and has returned value to the foundation. During the tour, we stopped at Blue Valley Center for Advanced Professional Studies (CAPS), Johnson County Community College (JCCC), and the University of Kansas (KU).

Blue Valley CAPS is a program for high school-aged students in the Blue Valley school system that fast forwards them into potential future careers and immerses them in a professional environment, so they better understand what would be expected of them in the workplace. We spoke to students enrolled in the program about the benefits of the program and what they hope to accomplish based on their experience in the CAPS system. In 2019, the NSF provided a grant to Northeastern University to study the Blue Valley CAPS program to analyze the effectiveness of the program and to figure out what makes the program successful and can be used across the country.

At JCCC, we spoke to current and former students of the STEM Scholars Program, an NSF-funded program that provides scholarships and mentorship to students receiving an Associate’s Degree of Science. The students described projects that they completed, and how the program helped them better understand what they are interested in pursuing as a career.

At KU, we heard from faculty and students who are participating in NSF-funded research. Particularly, we spoke to members of the Center for Environmentally Beneficial Catalysis (CEBC) at KU who are working to prevent waste and conserve resources. This includes a project that KU is working on with Pittsburg State University and Delaware University that will work to turn non-renewable plastics into recyclable plastics. During the tour, it was announced that the project will receive a $4 million grant from the NSF to support this project.

The purpose of this tour was to show Director Panchanathan the resources that Kansas has to fulfill NSF research and commercialization goals, and to reinforce the importance of tapping into resources located in the middle of the country. Research and development investment, including funding provided through the NSF, has concentrated in a few coastal cities, leaving resources in the middle of the country underutilized. To continue to be an innovative global competitor, the United States must take full advantage of the research talent and facilities in areas that have not traditionally received their share of funding. As the lead Republican on the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds NSF, I will continue to work with Director Panchanathan to achieve this goal.

Thank you to Director Panchanathan for joining me in Kansas, and thank you to everyone at Blue Valley CAPS, JCCC, and KU who made this trip possible.

Speaking at the Veterans Recognition Ceremony in Great Bend

It was great to spend time this weekend at the Great Bend Airfest. This community's aviation history has strong ties to World War II, and I was pleased to have the opportunity to extend thanks on behalf of a grateful nation to all the veterans in attendance during the Veterans Recognition Ceremony. We couldn’t have asked for a better evening to gather to celebrate aviation in Kansas and to thank those who have served.

As the lead Republican on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, I want to make certain the promises we made to our veterans are kept. It's important for each veteran to know they have our love and respect.

Thank you to Christina Hayes, Mayor Cody Schmidt, and Kendal Francis for your hospitality. Read more from the Great bend Tribune here.

Before speaking with those in attendance, I was honored to be presented as a son of Great Bend. I am proud to call Great Bend my birthplace, and I thank everyone involved in their efforts to present me with this recognition.

Kansas State Fair

This weekend marked the end of the biggest event in Kansas – the Kansas State Fair. Thank you to everyone who stopped by my booth in the Pride of Kansas building.

Meeting with Johnson and Wyandotte County Law Enforcement

This week, I met with law enforcement officials from both Johnson and Wyandotte counties to discuss the importance of effective partnerships between federal agencies and local law enforcement as well as the need for our local departments to have access to federal funding through Department of Justice (DOJ) grants.

Collaboration between those at the local level and federal law provide each other a much needed force multiplier and are essential to disrupting violent crime and drug trafficking. Furthermore, DOJ grants, like the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants (JAG), are a vital instrument to ensure our state and local law enforcement are equipped with the necessary tools and resources they need to keep our communities safe. Just last year law enforcement in Kansas received more than $2.5 million in JAG Program funding. As the FY2022 Appropriations bills are reviewed by Congress and as the lead Republican on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that makes funding decisions regarding the DOJ, I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure this critical assistance is provided to the men and women who work each day to keep our communities safe.

Receiving an Update form Leavenworth City Officials

I met with City of Leavenworth Mayor Nancy Bauder and City Manager Paul Kramer this week to discuss issues facing the community. I was pleased to be updated on multiple economic development projects in the city, including the construction of new hotels, housing and child care facilities. We also discussed efforts to support Fort Leavenworth, infrastructure investments and the Leavenworth prisons. I look forward to continuing to work with Mayor Bauder and the Leavenworth community.

Constitution Day

Thank you to the millions of Americans who have adopted the Constitution as their own and taken an oath to uphold the rights and liberties protected within it. Friday was Constitution Day and a time to reaffirm our commitment to striving towards a more perfect union.

Happy Birthday to the Air Force

Saturday marked the Air Force’s 74th birthday. Thank you to the men and women who protect our nation from above. Fly Fight Win.

POW MIA Recognition Day

Friday was POW MIA Recognition Day. Let us pay tribute to the servicemembers who are imprisoned or unaccounted for as a result of their military service and think of the families & loved ones they've left behind.

Yom Kippur

Wishing a peaceful fast and meaningful reflection to all those who observed Yom Kippur in Kansas and around the world.

K-State Collegian: Moran tours Wheat Innovation Center, Ross Flour Mill

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 12:00:00 EST

Moran tours Wheat Innovation Center, Ross Flour Mill

K-State Collegian | Alexander Hurla

Sen. Jerry Moran toured the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center and Kansas State’s Hal Ross Flour Mill on Thursday, calling it the “Kansas Wheat” tour.

“For a long time, I’ve wanted to revisit the Wheat Innovation Center. I was here shortly before it opened,” Moran said. “This is an effort from Kansas farmers — ag producers — to invest in their future and to develop the crops and the necessary protocols for inputs to make agriculture more profitable. … I was delighted to come here and see what’s going on in the Wheat Innovation Center and how I can be of help.”

The visit also comes after Moran recently helped grant funds to the center.

“In the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Bill, we were successful in a million dollars for the research to take place here in this facility to support the industry to find the right answers of the future of raising and producing wheat and make it profitable,” Moran said.

Justin Gilpin, CEO of Kansas Wheat, said the timing of Moran’s visit worked out well for local wheat farmers.

“We actually were having our Kansas Association of Wheat Growers board meeting today, and so we had several of our directors from across the state and wheat farmers from across the state that were in town that he was able to meet with and address,” Gilpin said. “So, it was meaningful to them to be able to hear firsthand about some of the things going in Washington D.C.”

Gilpin led a group, including Moran, through the Center’s facilities and labs, discussing the work the center is doing for agriculture. Moran’s visit also provided an opportunity for wheat farmers to communicate their needs with him.

“Senator Moran has been a long-standing friend of Kansas agriculture and certainly Kansas Association of Wheat Growers,” Gilpin said. “Always hearing his perspective and being able to ask him direct questions was an excellent opportunity for us.”

Moran then toured the K-State Hal Ross Flour Mill. Jason Watt, the Buhler instructor of milling, said the faculty appreciated the visit.

“Anybody out of our government who wants to come in and visit us means a lot to us,” Watt said. “That means they care about us, and they want to learn about what we’re doing, what’s special about our programs and what’s special about the university with the hope that they want to make that better.”

Moran said K-State is a leader in agriculture across the world.

“This university is so valuable not just to Kansas … but in its research and its focus on agriculture,” Moran said. “Feed the Future, for example, is a program here at Kansas State University funded by USAID — the federal agency that’s designed with feeding the people who are hungry around the globe — and we’re developing the practices that will allow people to feed themselves right here at Kansas State University, and in the process, we’re training and education students and giving them careers and a better future.”

More information about the Kansas Wheat Innovation Center is on its website.

Sen. Moran Joins Legislation to Protect Taxpayer Rights and Privacy

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 12:00:00 EST

Bill provides guardrails against recent proposals to expand IRS, monitor Americans’ private finances...

Sen. Moran Speaks at Senate Judiciary Hearing on FBI’s Dereliction of Duty in Larry Nassar Case

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 12:00:00 EST

Moran: The FBI failed to protect our athletes. This inaction is appalling, and, as we’ve all said, unacceptable....

Politico: Major college sports are under siege and they want K Street to save them

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 12:00:00 EST

Major college sports are under siege and they want K Street to save them: The NCAA is tasking seasoned D.C. hands to help it figure out a world in which college athletes can earn cash off their name and likeness.

Politico | Hailey Fuchs

Over the past year or so, the college sports industry has taken it on the chin. States have passed laws allowing student athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness. And this June, the Supreme Court struck down restrictions on benefits for college athletes.

In response to the setbacks, the NCAA did what many beleaguered industries do: It turned to K Street for help.

For most of 2021, the NCAA and its large and powerful athletic conferences have moved aggressively to steer name, image and likeness (NIL) legislation, which would allow players to profit from their own celebrity but put rules on that compensation. In conversations on the Hill, they sought to limit their liability from future lawsuits that could result from congressional action. Those who have worked in this space say it is among the most significant — and potentially perilous — moments for major college sports in a century.

So far this year, the NCAA alone has spent $180,000 on lobbying, $60,000 more than the same period last year. The Power Five conferences — the Big Ten, Big 12, PAC-12 Conference, Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference — have spent $900,000, all to influence legislation related to how student athletes can profit from their popularity and “modernizing” college athletics, according to federal filings.

The contracts with K Street accumulated quickly. Almost none of those conferences had registered to lobby before 2019, when California became the first state to pass legislation allowing student athletes to profit off of endorsement deals, the use of their image in video games and along with a host of other potential new revenue streams. Additionally, some NCAA member schools, which collectively have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars lobbying Congress on this and other issues, have sought to influence lawmakers on student athlete legislation. Those close to the negotiations say that in addition to their K Street representation, college presidents, coaches and athletic directors have all served as emissaries to the Hill.

So far, the NCAA and the major conferences have little to show for their investments. Democrats and Republicans have been negotiating on compromise legislation to create a national law governing pay for college athletes, but have butted heads over what financial protections the legislation should give schools, conferences and the NCAA itself — including shields from potential legal liability — and whether schools should share revenue with their athletes.

New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker (a former Stanford football player) and his Senate colleagues Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) have attempted to reach a bipartisan solution, after introducing dueling Democrat and Republican proposals over the past year. If they’re successful, it would be the first time that Congress has directly legislated the governance of college athletics. But while one Democratic Senate aide said staff had been holding meetings multiple times a week, if not multiple times a day, negotiations have stalled in recent weeks.

The NCAA declined to provide a comment beyond the remarks on its website, which affirm the association’s commitment to NIL opportunities for student athletes “consistent with the college athlete model.”

The multibillion dollar collegiate sports industry finds itself at one of the most notable crossroads in its history. In 2019, California became the first state to pass NIL legislation for college athletes, the culmination of decades of advocacy from the National College Players Association, a nonprofit advocacy group for collegiate athletes founded by former UCLA football player Ramogi Huma. They argued that student athletes, who have long generated money for NCAA sports, deserved the right to make their own money through endorsements and other deals.

As of today, dozens of states have laws or executive orders establishing rules related to NIL for college athletics, some of which went into effect on July 1, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. California recently pushed up the deadline for its new law to take effect, to September 2021.

That’s prompted a scramble by the NCAA and college sports programs, who fear that state laws around NIL profits and additional litigation could jeopardize the world of amateur college sports altogether. Among the industry’s top priorities: a legal shield from retroactive lawsuits filed as a result of actions that violated whatever legislation Congress might pass before it is enacted. Advocates have also asked Congress to create a national standard for NIL, given conflicting state laws. And they do not want to be forced to share their own revenues with student athletes.

The fear of potential litigation has become more acute in recent months. The practical implication of the Supreme Court decision in June was that the NCAA could not limit in kind education-related benefits for players, like laptops or a study abroad program. But the case also created “an open invitation and in some ways a roadmap to future plaintiffs to bring antitrust suits against the NCAA,” said Gabe Feldman, an expert in sports law at Tulane University.

Not long afterward, the NCAA adopted an interim NIL policy that allowed students to profit from their name, image and likeness with very few parameters: an athlete must abide by the laws of the state where his or her school is located and should report NIL activities to the school.

The NCAA and the conferences fear that the patchwork approach could create an unequal playing field for recruiting. For example, one state may allow a player to wear the school’s logo in an endorsement, a designation that is likely to add value to the endorsement deal, and another may not — providing an enticement for a high school recruit to choose one school over another.

Huma and the National College Players Association are also lobbying the Hill on the issue. After a series of wins at the state level, he says that the athletes have already won on NIL and argues that any federal legislative effort should reflect that. “You can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube,” he said. But, he fears, the NCAA and the conferences are working to void much of the new freedom awarded to players by the states.

Huma’s camp has also lobbied against a liability shield for the NCAA, which he likened to “giving a criminal a badge.” Instead, he and others want better health and safety provisions for college athletes and have backed the bill Booker and Blumenthal introduced in December 2020, dubbed the College Athletes Bill of Rights, which would ensure that student athletes do not have to pay out-of-pocket medical expenses for sports-related injuries up to five years after a student stops playing. Schools would be required to contribute to a shared fund based on the revenues of their athletic departments. The bill would also direct the federal government to establish guidelines for how to handle sexual assault, traumatic brain injuries and other health, safety and wellness measures.

“Really, the NCAA and the conferences and the schools are asking Congress for a favor, and from our perspective they haven’t earned the favor,” he said. “There’s dead bodies, there’s people being sexually abused with no recourse that the NCAA is ignoring, so there’s a lot of issues in NCAA sports. If Congress gets involved, they should actually do something to make it better.”

Some industry advocates, most notably the Southeastern Conference, have pushed back against proposals that would require schools to cover student athlete injuries, given that it would likely require larger schools to compensate for lower resourced institutions that do not have the funds to do so, according to an operative with knowledge of the negotiations.

Democrats have sparred with Republicans — and the industry of college athletics — over what protections should be afforded to the NCAA and its conferences.

Moran, who has conferred on the matter with big-time coaches including University of Kansas men’s basketball coach Bill Self and Kansas State University football coach Chris Klieman, introduced his own bill to standardize college athlete pay in February. Moran’s proposal limits the liability that the NCAA, conferences, and schools may be subject to, and also preempts any state law that is inconsistent with the act.

“The Amateur Athlete Protection and Compensation Act strikes an appropriate balance of ensuring our amateur athletes are protected and able to profit from their NIL while maintaining the integrity of college athletics,” Moran said in a statement, adding that he remains committed to finding a bipartisan compromise.

For now, Huma’s group faces a well-resourced opponent in its fight against a legal shield for the industry. He called the NCAA a “serial predator when it comes to breaking antitrust rules,” and argued that now was not the time to give the organization — which has faced criticism for its handling of sexual misconduct among coaches and team doctors as well as brain injuries among athletes — any rewards.

“It would be terrible for Congress to look past and ignore the dead bodies, to look past and ignore the abused bodies, in order to tweak some things to give the NCAA the power and favor when it clearly doesn't deserve either,” he said.

We Shall Never Forget

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 12:00:00 EST

Welcome to “Kansas Common Sense.” Thanks for your continued interest in receiving my weekly newsletter. Please feel free to forward it on to your family and friends if it would interest them.

We Shall Never Forget

Remembering September 11, 20 Years Later

Saturday marked 20 years since the September 11 attacks that razed New York City’s Twin Towers, decimated the west side of the Pentagon, hallowed a field outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania and claimed 2,996 American lives. Two decades later, those initial moments of fear and uncertainty still burn brightly in America’s collective memory and stand as a defining moment in our nation’s history.

We shall never forget. As the events of September 11 have brought profound change to America and the world, we will never forget the lives lost that day and the sacrifice of so many—firemen, law enforcement officers, co-workers, friends, neighbors and strangers—who answered the call to serve and save their fellow Americans and to those who have answered the call to service since.

Following the September 11 attacks, our military servicemembers and veterans in Afghanistan fought honorably to accomplish every mission their country asked of them. Over the past two decades, veterans, their fellow servicemembers and their families have sacrificed greatly while fulfilling their mission in Afghanistan. As the lead Republican of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, I want each veteran to know that they not only have my support, but also my admiration and confidence for what they have achieved and what they will go on to achieve for our country.

May we never forget the way we united in the aftermath of the attacks, as one nation under God. And may we renew our commitment to respecting one another, to working together for the common good and to answering the call to serve.

Delivering Remarks Commemorating the 20th Anniversary in McPherson
On Saturday, I participated in McPherson’s ceremonies commemorating 20 years since the September 11 attacks. When I remember that Tuesday, I think about the shared devastation we, as Americans, felt. But, I also remember the way we pulled together to support each other, as Kansans and as a country forever changed. I was humbled to be a part of the ceremonies, and it is my hope that everyone takes a moment to reflect on the events of September 11, remember those who lost their lives in the attacks and rescue efforts, and honor those who have sacrificed through their service since that day.

Thank you to Fire Chief TJ Wyssmann for organizing the event. Thank you also to Mayor Tom Brown for the invitation and kind introduction, and for his service to our nation as a U.S. Marine. Finally, thank you to Police Chief Mikel Golden and to the McPherson community for taking time this weekend to formally honor our servicemembers, veterans and first responders on Saturday’s 20th anniversary.

Bolstering Kansas Leadership in Aviation

Announcing $103 Million in Grants for Kansas Aviation Manufacturers
This week, I announced grants for over 30 Kansas aviation manufacturers through the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection (AMJP) program. These funds will help Kansas aviation employers retain 4,284 employees and was created by legislation I introduced with Congressman Ron Estes.

The aviation manufacturing industry in Kansas plays a critical role in providing our state with high-paying jobs and supporting commercial and general aviation across the country. As our economy continues recovering from the pandemic, having a trained, fully-staffed workforce will help aviation manufacturers recover more quickly and meet the demand for new aircraft and repairs. I’m pleased the AMJP program is providing support to this important industry and their invaluable workforce. Read more in the Wichita Eagle here.

Unveiling the Boeing 777 with WSU, Aerospace Industry and State Leaders
This week, I was also pleased to help welcome a new company to the Wichita community, the Kansas Modification Center (KMC). The KMC, in partnership with Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) WERX program, will help solidify the Wichita area as a leader in the maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry. During the welcome ceremony, KMC and NIAR WERX’s first project was on hand, a Boeing 777-300ER passenger aircraft which will be converted into a freighter that meets the growing needs of the e-commerce and express cargo market industry. The official announcement of the new partnership and unveiling of the Boeing 777 aircraft marks a new era for the ‘Air Capital of the World’ and exemplifies the community’s innovative spirit.

The creation of the MRO arena will benefit WSU, the regional aerospace industry and our entire state. This is just the start, and I look forward to seeing all that will be accomplished in the years to come. Thank you to WSU Senior Vice President for Industry & Defense Programs John Tomblin, WSU President Rick Muma, WSU Tech President Sheree Utash, WSU Tech Dean of Aviation and Manufacturing Jim Hall and Kansas Modification Center Owner Jim Gibbs and Partners Dave Murfin and Bryan Mackey for their leadership.

Read more from the Wichita Business Journal here.

Visiting with Kansans at the State Fair

Speaking with the Kansas Farm Bureau

On Saturday morning, I spoke with farmers and ranchers from across the state at the Kansas Farm Bureau’s Agricultural Leadership Breakfast at the State Fair. On the 20th anniversary of September 11, I told them about reading Amanda’s note to her father at Ground Zero following the attacks and the way that day changed my outlook on my role serving as a member of Congress. I also discussed my role on the Agriculture Appropriations committee and the work I do to secure funding for agriculture research projects across Kansas. KFB members and I talked about importance of agriculture to communities in Kansas and the importance of rural Midwest values to the moral compass of the nation as a whole.

I thank Senator Roberts for joining and for his years of service to agriculture and the state of Kansas, and to KFB President Rich Felts for allowing me to join your Ag Leadership Breakfast.

Visiting the Exhibit Buildings
While walking through the exhibits, I stopped by the American Legion booth to thank those working for their commitment to honoring our nation’s veterans. Organizations like the American Legion play a critical role in supporting veterans, which has been especially important over the last month as many have struggled while watching the events in Afghanistan unfold.

I also paid my respects to the many Kansans who have given their lives for our country since September 11 at the Remember Our Fallen exhibit. If you attend the fair in the coming days, I highly recommend visiting this pictorial memorial in the Pride of Kansas building which serves as a poignant reminder that freedom is never free.

Opposing President Biden’s Federal Vaccine Mandates

This week, President Biden announced new federal mandates for the COVID-19 vaccine. There is no doubt that through the success of American science and ingenuity, the COVID-19 vaccine has provided the best shot at ending the pandemic and taking critical steps towards normalcy.

I am vaccinated, and I will continue to urge Kansans to get the shot. These decisions should be left to each individual, and that decision should be guided by conversations with trusted doctors and not dictated by Washington, D.C. Furthermore, this government overreach comes at the expense of small business owners who are trying to strike a balance between keeping their businesses safe and open, and respecting their employees’ personal health decisions. This mandate will also only deepen divisions in the country regarding the vaccines, as well as make it even harder for employers to find workers and cause some employees to drop out of the workforce in protest. I strongly oppose the Biden administration’s extreme government overreach in requiring vaccinations and urge them to focus on solutions that will empower patients to make educated decisions of their own choosing.

Taliban Expands Control in Afghanistan

This past week, the Taliban formed their government and included terrorists previously detained at Guantanamo Bay, currently wanted by the FBI and sanctioned by the United Nations. The Taliban is limiting the number of flights out of Afghanistan that would safely bring Americans home, and I continue to work to ensure those who need to evacuate for their safety are able to do so. The new Taliban is the same as the old Taliban—a terrorist organization. It is important for sanctions to be enforced so long as they collaborate with groups that seek to attack Americans, prevent freedom of travel and reject basic human rights.

Suicide Prevention Awareness

Supporting Our Veterans Following Withdrawal from Afghanistan
As the lead Republican on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I continue to be focused on supporting our veterans here at home as some are struggling watching the U.S. withdraw from Afghanistan and marking 20 years since the September 11 attacks. The veterans who answered the call to protect our nation after September 11 deserve our utmost respect and gratitude. These veterans brought justice to Osama bin Laden and served with duty and purpose. They need to know they are not alone and that we will never forget their sacrifice. I encourage each of us to reach out to our friends and loved ones who have served to check-in and make certain they know they are loved and that their service made a difference.

Click here for a list of resources available to veterans and veteran families and caregivers following the recent events in Afghanistan.

Prioritizing Mental Health this National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and Friday was World Suicide Prevention Day. To anyone who may be struggling: you are loved and you are not alone. It’s okay to ask for help.

You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Veterans, call 1-800-273-8255, then press 1 to be put in touch with qualified VA responders at the Veterans Crisis Line. Let’s all do our part to check in with our friends, family and loved ones.

Discussing Cyber Security with Emporia State

On Wednesday afternoon, I met with met with Emporia State University faculty and administrators to discuss their pandemic response and several of the university's academic programming initiatives. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, this discussion provided an opportunity for me to learn about their proposed cyber security program and how this program would support the education of students seeking degrees in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Data Analytics and other cyber-related degrees, as well as meet the augmented needs of the cyber security industry throughout the Kansas City Metro Area.

Thank you to Emporia State University President Allison Garrett, Vice President of Administration and Finance Diana Kuhlmann, Provost George Arasimowicz, School of Business Dean Ed Bashaw and Government Relations Liaison Greg Schneider for meeting with me this week.

Read more about my visit from the Emporia Gazette by clicking here.

Meeting with Civic Club Members

Hays
I appreciated the opportunity to meet with civic club members in Hays on Tuesday. The Lions Club members and I touched on a number of issues, including their concerns about the ability of elected officials to work together and the importance of finding common ground. I heard form Ellis County members about their drought and irrigation concerns, and discussed how my work on the Senate VA Committee will continue to operate with veterans’ mental and physical health needs as a top priority. I also shared with those at The Press how my casework team has been working to help those in need following the administration’s failed withdrawal from Afghanistan. Thank you to everyone who spent their afternoon speaking with me.

Marion
I joined the Marion Kiwanis on Wednesday where we discussed the importance of civic clubs in communities across Kansas and how local government is best suited to serve its community’s needs. Kiwanis members posed questions regarding my work helping small businesses get the resources they need, and we discussed the importance of access to rural health care, pharmacies, education, technology and broadband. We also had a chance to discuss the importance of agriculture and farming to keeping small town economies and rural America alive.

Thank you to Kiwanis President Chris Mercer and Treasurer Gene Winkler, Superintendent of Marion-Florence Schools Aaron Homburg and to everyone who shared their thoughts and concerns with me yesterday. Thank you to Café 256 for hosting our conversation and to Johsie Reid for letting me stop by the newly opened JR Hatters Mercantile on Main Street while I was in town.

MRIGlobal’s Work for National Security

I visited MRIGlobal in Kansas City on Thursday to see the innovative research and development work being done to support our national security. MRIGlobal is a national leader in countering chemical and biological weapons of mass destruction. They are also working to address global biological threats, like COVID-19, and have connected with the Air Force and other federal partners as our nation struggled with this pandemic. MRIGlobal’s work to defend our nation from chemical and biological attacks and protect Americans facing a global pandemic is to be commended, and I was pleased to visit with their leadership to offer my support. I want to thank the leadership team at MRIGlobal for hosting me, and I look forward to working with them in the future.

ATF Director Nomination Withdrawn

This week, the nomination of David Chipman – who has an extensive track record of pushing a radical and partisan anti-Second Amendment agenda – to be Director of the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) was withdrawn. The Second Amendment states that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Yet, the Biden administration continues to push its gun control agenda against law-abiding gun owners. Since entering office, President Biden has made every effort to limit the ability of gun owners and retailers to exercise their rights under the Second Amendment, and this includes the nomination of David Chipman to head the ATF. I remain committed to preserving the rights enshrined in the Constitution under the Second Amendment and will continue to oppose any nominee who will not do the same.

Visiting WaKeeney

My morning view in WaKeeney on Tuesday. Thank you to everyone I visited with while I was in town.

Honored to Serve You in Washington
It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a form of letter, a Facebook comment or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard.

Please let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email by clicking here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C. office.

Kansas aviation manufacturers land $103.9 million in federal COVID-19 relief money

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 12:00:00 EST

Kansas aviation manufacturers land $103.9 million in federal COVID-19 relief money

The Wichita Eagle | Matthew Kelly

Kansas aviation manufacturers are set to receive a combined $103.9 million in federal pandemic relief grant money to retain 4,284 employees.

The Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection (AMJP) program was created through legislation introduced by Sen. Jerry Moran and U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, who both voted against the final version of the American Rescue Plan Act that funded the program.

“As our economy continues recovering from the pandemic, having a trained, fully-staffed workforce will help aviation manufacturers recover more quickly and meet the demand for new aircraft and repairs,” Moran said in a Friday news release.

Spirit AeroSystems, Wichita’s largest employer, is one of 26 Air Capital recipients, along with five other manufacturers in the state.

Funds will be administered through the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The program is designed to pay up to half of the compensation costs for certain categories of employees, not to exceed 25% of the employer’s U.S. workforce, for up to six months.

As a condition of receiving the federal money, manufacturers must agree not to involuntarily furlough or lay off employees whose salaries are being partially paid through COVID-19 relief funds.

“This bipartisan, bicameral program is a common sense solution that directly benefits workers in Kansas, and I’m pleased that so many aviation manufacturers are receiving the assistance they need to keep building aircraft in the Sunflower State,” Estes said in the release.

Sen. Moran, Rep. Estes Announce $103 Million in Grants for Kansas Aviation Manufacturers

Fri, 10 Sep 2021 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Congressman Ron Estes (KS-04) today announced $103,879,965 in grants for Kansas aviation manufacturers through the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection (AMJP) program. These funds will help Kansas aviation employers retain 4,284 employees. The AMJP program was created by legislation introduced by Sen. Moran and Congressman Estes.

“The aviation manufacturing industry in Kansas plays a critical role in providing our state with high-paying jobs and supporting commercial and general aviation across the country,” said Sen. Moran. “As our economy continues recovering from the pandemic, having a trained, fully-staffed workforce will help aviation manufacturers recover more quickly and meet the demand for new aircraft and repairs. I’m pleased the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Program is providing support to this important industry and their invaluable workforce.”

“The skilled workforce in Kansas' aviation manufacturing industry is critical to our communities and our economy. The Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Program funds will provide stability for employees and keep them here in the Air Capital of the World,” said Rep. Estes. “This bipartisan, bicameral program is a common sense solution that directly benefits workers in Kansas, and I'm pleased that so many aviation manufacturers are receiving the assistance they need to keep building aircraft in the Sunflower State.”

The AMJP program provides funding to eligible businesses to pay up to half of their compensation costs for certain categories of employees, for up to six months. Sen. Moran and Congressman Estes hosted an information session in June with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) AMJP Program Director Elliott Black for aviation manufacturers in the Wichita area to learn more about the AMJP Program and ask questions directly to the program lead.

After receiving the first round of grant applications, the AMJP application was reopened from Aug. 4 – Sept. 1 to allow more businesses to apply. Businesses who applied in the second round are currently being evaluated by the Department of Transportation. The grant recipients below are from the first round of applicants.

Grant Recipients:

Aerospace Systems & Components, Wichita

Air Capital NDI, Wichita

Apex Engineering International, Wichita

B&B Airparts, Wichita

C.E. Machine Company, Wichita

Cox Machine, Wichita

DBA Kansas Coil Spring Co, Wichita

Dynamic NC, Rose Hill

Fiber Dynamics, Wichita

Global Aviation Technologies, Wichita

Goddard Machine, Wichita

H. M. Dunn Company, Wichita

Integrated Components, Wichita

Kelly Manufacturing Company, Wichita

KMI Inc, Mulvane

Learjet Inc, Wichita

Lee Aerospace, Wichita

Manufacturing Development Inc, Cheney

MAX Aerostructures, Wichita

Metal Arts Machine Co, Wichita

Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics, Wichita

Millennium Machine & Tool, Newton

NWI Wichita, Wichita

Omni Aerospace, Wichita

Orizon Aerostructures, Kansas City

Rickman Machine Co., Wichita

Sinclair & Sons Custom Welding & Machining Service Inc, Wichita

Spirit AeroSystems, Wichita

Trinity Precision Inc, Wichita

United Machine Company Inc, Wichita

Winglet Technology, Wichita

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Moran talks cyber security, COVID response at ESU

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 12:00:00 EST

Moran talks cyber security, COVID response at ESU

The Emporia Gazette | Ryann Brooks

Sen. Jerry Moran met with Emporia State University faculty and administrators Wednesday afternoon to discuss pandemic response and some of the university's academic programming.

Moran said, as an appropriator for the U.S. Department of Education, he was on the committee that authorizes legislation related to education spending on the federal level. While he said his focus was to keep the government from "further intruding" on education in the state, there have also been important conversations regarding the possibility of expanding Emporia State's cyber security program.

"There are so many cyber security companies that visit with me in my other roles as a United States senator about the need for educated and trained cyber security experts, and it seems to me that if we had the workforce that these companies are looking for, companies would locate here, improving the climate and opportunity for Kansans," Moran said. "Emporia State, halfway between Wichita and Kansas City, plus just businesses here in this community, can utilize that workforce."

In an era where the U.S. is "under attack constantly" Moran said cyber security was in demand more than ever.

"The reason that cyber security companies are visiting with me is because the demand for their services are so great," he said. "That is in the private sector; but in the federal sector, there is a great need for individuals who will work within law enforcement, within the military, within our national security system to provide cyber security."

Moran said Garrett had informed him that even ESU had been the target of a number of hacking attempts.

"Our law enforcement national defense now depend upon a much more secure cyber system than what we have and the Chinese, the Russians and others have a concerted effort," Moran said. "Part of it is the defense of our nation, the safety of our nation, the other part is how do we protect our private and personal information from those who want to gain access to it and use it in ways that would be very detrimental to us?"

President Allison Garrett said ESU offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in information systems technology as well as a minor in data security.

"We do have a minor in cyber security which is a wonderful complement for any number of majors, but particularly for those students who are majoring in computer science or information systems," she said. " ... One other degree program ... that I think is important, and this is not a full degree but a number of courses in a minor for us, is geospatial information systems, which is a wonderful complement to almost any degree because it teaches you how to use giant datasets and overlay those to use information to make good decisions."

COVID response

Moran also received an update on ESU's response to COVID-19, a response that he was observing to be successful despite the "difficult and challenging circumstances" presented to the university while providing education to students. Moran said he was impressed that ESU had been able to keep in-person classes going for much of the pandemic, something he felt was important for the overall college experience.

"... I don't know how you experience college life by the internet, by distance learning," he said. "If we want to make sure Emporia State and our other regional universities — and even our private colleges — have a future, we need to make certain we're in a position to provide in-classroom education in most circumstances."

While Moran said there will be instances where online and distance learning is appropriate, he felt nothing will ever replace that in-person experience. However, that in-person learning is only possible if Kansans come together to stop further spread of COVID-19.

Moran encouraged Emporia State students, and Kansans in general, to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

"If there's not a reason that you shouldn't get the vaccine because of your particular circumstances, we do not have the capabilities to continue to provide the amount of resources, the dollars that have been provided to Emporia State or other institutions — K - 12 — and other universities in Kansas," he said. "A lot of federal money is coming to Kansas, a lot of federal money has been spent and that is not an endless well. We need people to cooperate to get themselves in a position in which they are health and remain healthy."

Garrett thanked Moran and his colleagues for their support of ESU and other higher education institutions in the state.

"I want to make sure you all know how deeply grateful we are to the senator for his relationship with Emporia State and the fact that he's taken time out of his busy schedule to come here and listen to the things that we view as challenges, the things that we would like to see help our students and our faculty and staff," she said.

Sen. Moran Opposes President Biden’s Federal Vaccine Mandate

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) released the following statement in opposition to President Biden’s federal vaccine mandate:

“There is no doubt that through the success of American science and ingenuity, the COVID-19 vaccine has provided the best shot at ending the pandemic and taking critical steps towards normalcy.

“I am vaccinated and I will continue to urge Kansans to get vaccinated. These decisions should be left to each individual, and that decision should be guided by conversations with trusted doctors and not dictated by bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. Furthermore, this government overreach comes at the expense of small business owners who are trying to strike a balance between keeping their businesses safe and open, and respecting their employees’ personal health decisions. This mandate will also only deepen divisions in the country regarding the vaccines, as well as make it even harder for employers to find workers and cause some employees to drop out of the workforce in protest.

“I strongly oppose the Biden administration’s extreme government overreach in requiring vaccinations and urge them to focus on solutions that will empower patients to make educated decisions of their own choosing.”

# # #

NIAR shows off freighter conversion program

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 12:00:00 EST

NIAR shows off freighter conversion program

Wichita Business Journal | Daniel McCoy

In a first step stakeholders believe can be a transformational addition to the production-heavy aerospace industry in Wichita, a Boeing Co. 777 passenger jet formerly used by Emirates has arrived for conversion into a cargo jet.

The work is being done by the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University, which unveiled a 777 formerly flown as a passenger jet by Emirates at an event Wednesday at NIAR’s facility adjacent to Spirit AeroSystems Inc. on the Air Capital Flight Line.

The “Air Capital of the World” moniker was the theme for several of the event’s speakers, who said the NIAR program is an important step in making Wichita and Kansas a major player in the lucrative maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry.

“We want to be the MRO capital of the world,” said John Tomblin, NIAR’s executive director and senior vice president for industry and defense programs at WSU.

After announcing plans for the conversion work last year, NIAR in May was granted approval by the Federal Aviation Administration to be a Part 145 repair station and officially stood up the new WERX lab, headed by Dave Jones, to preform the work.

The NIAR WERX team in total consists of around 200 engineers, 100 aircraft mechanics and 45 students.

“This is a rare opportunity for students to gain experience working on an industry program alongside and under the guidance of NIAR’s seasoned team of experts,” Jones said. “Our engineers have the unique chance to pass their combined 7,500 years of experience in design, production and testing on to the next generation of aviation professionals.”

The employment numbers are expected to grow significantly in the years ahead as the organization brings in more work on freighter conversions and other programs.

‘We’re growing our own workforce at the same time we are producing,” Tomblin says.

To do the work, a company had to be formed. That resulted in the creation of the Kansas Modification Center, which is led by Jim Gibbs.

On Wednesday, Gibbs said the goal of KMC is in turn create an avenue for Wichita’s aerospace industry to generate generational opportunities.

And the company is thinking big, with Gibbs saying that KMC has submitted a proposal with the U.S. Air Force for a 777 conversion program that could be used to supply refueling tankers.

Gibbs and Tomblin said what is being done with KMC has been a statewide project, including the involvement of the Salina Airport Authority and Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly.

“This opportunity is tailor-made for our state and our aerospace assets,” Kelly said Wednesday. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”

Concluding the media event was U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., whom Tomblin credited for continuously connecting the dots that help Wichita and Kansas attract new aerospace work.

In the case of the WERX lab, that’s included around $6 million from various federal agencies to help stand up the organization.

Moran remembered Wednesday saying several years ago at a Textron Aviation event that he feared Wichita was in danger of losing the Air Capital title.

But, he said, the work to diversify and grow in recent years by local manufacturers and other companies in the industry gives him confidence that Wichita will hold claim to the name.

However, he added, the formation of WERX is an example of how the city and state still has to keep pushing forward.

“We can never rest on our laurels or our assets, because the competition is great,” Moran said.

Veterans of Afghanistan, Your Service Has Left a Lasting and Unparalleled Impact on This World

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 12:00:00 EST

Welcome to “Kansas Common Sense.” Thanks for your continued interest in receiving my weekly newsletter. Please feel free to forward it on to your family and friends if it would interest them.

Wishing You a Happy Labor Day

Labor Day is a time to celebrate the significant contributions of the American worker and to reflect on the progress our state and country have realized because of the sacrifices of those working to push the economy forward. I hope you were able to spend time with your friends and loved ones yesterday. Happy Labor Day!

The Administration’s Failed Withdrawal from Afghanistan

As the United States transitions from a military mission to a diplomatic mission upon the departure of all military personnel from Afghanistan last Monday, it remains necessary to continue working to protect our nation’s interests there. The Biden administration should spare no effort to evacuate the Americans and Afghans who have assisted our country but were left behind during the chaotic and disastrous withdrawal. My office remains closely engaged with the State Department and others to gain safe passage for those with ties to Kansans. I also expect President Biden to work with allies and partners to ensure the homeland’s safety from any terrorist threat inside Afghanistan, as well as to provide vital humanitarian assistance and to pressure the Taliban to respect human rights. By doing so, we will honor the sacrifices of those who have served in Afghanistan the last 20 years to defend our nation.

Veterans of Afghanistan, Your Service Has Left a Lasting and Unparalleled Impact on This World

Supporting the Veterans of Afghanistan
Following the United States military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan earlier this week, as leaders of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Senator Jon Tester and I expressed our unyielding support and gratitude in a bipartisan letter to veterans of Afghanistan and their families.

Over the past two decades, veterans, their fellow servicemembers and their families have sacrificed greatly while fulfilling their mission in Afghanistan. As our hearts ache for the future of the Afghan people and for our Afghan allies, we will work to see that this war is ended responsibly. As Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, we want each veteran to know that they not only have our support, but also our admiration and confidence for what they have achieved and what they will go on to achieve for our country. Read the full letter here.

Demanding Answers Regarding U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan
This week, I joined my Senate colleagues in demanding information from President Biden regarding the Americans and allies who were left behind in Afghanistan and on the vetting process for evacuees who are being brought to the United States.

While my colleagues and I may have differing opinions about whether the United States should have maintained a military presence in Afghanistan, we all agree that the arbitrary and poorly-planned method by which the Biden administration withdrew from Afghanistan caused this crisis. We requested thorough, unclassified answers to our questions that can be made available to the general public. The full letter can be found here.

Checking in with Servicemembers and Veterans This National Suicide Prevention Month
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and ensuring servicemembers and veterans have access to mental health resources is more important than ever. For those who may be struggling, click here to be connected with a list of resources provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

This National Suicide Prevention Month and every month, it’s vital that we continue to check in with our servicemembers and veterans, and Fort Riley is leading that charge. Major General Douglas Sims’ “Victory Wellness” program began last year at Fort Riley to provide soldiers time to work on their mental fitness, no matter their rank or position.

Click here to learn more from Stars and Stripes about how Commanding General Sims and Fort Riley are taking initiatives to tackle mental health issues and setting an example as they work to prioritize sevicemembers’ mental and emotional wellbeing.

Combatting Drug Abuse, Violent Crime with DEA SAC Zimmerman and Kansas Law Enforcement

I invited U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Todd Zimmerman to Wichita to visit with local law enforcement. As reports of opioid abuse and overdoses are spiking in Kansas due in large part to the rising use of fentanyl, it will take effective partnerships between all levels of government and law enforcement agencies to reverse this trend.

Our first visit on Tuesday was at the local DEA office where SAC Zimmerman and I met with the Resident Agent in Charge Greg Anderson and Wichita Police Chief Gordon Ramsay to discuss the importance of the partnership between the DEA, Wichita PD and other local law enforcement as they work to combat drug abuse and crack down on violent crime in Kansas.

From there, we went to Wichita State University’s Law Enforcement Training Center, where SAC Zimmerman and I heard from the Wichita Metro Crime Commission about its work to curb opioid abuse and overdose through community outreach and education, like Operation Engage. Operation Engage is a DEA-led, comprehensive law enforcement and prevention initiative aimed at reducing drug use, abuse and overdose deaths. Thank you to Chairman Mike Hill, President Jeff Geoffroy, Vice President Norris Slupianek, Treasurer Marc Ward and Secretary Steve Cohlmia.

Finally, I invited police chiefs, sheriffs and law enforcement leaders from across Kansas to join us for a round table discussion. We discussed how DEA and local departments collaborate across departments and agencies, such as with Task Force Officers who work with the DEA on a daily basis, to disrupt drug trafficking. They provide each other a much needed force multiplier against cartels which are sending drugs like fentanyl throughout the country.

I want to thank SAC Zimmerman for coming to Kansas and for his continued efforts to combat drug trafficking and opioid abuse. I would also like to thank Resident Agent in Charge Greg Anderson, Assistant SAC Rogeana Patterson-King, Public Information Officer for DEA’s St. Louis Division Andree Swanson as well as the Metro Crime Commission and WSU Law Enforcement Training Center for being a part of yesterday’s discussions. As the lead Republican on the Senate Appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over the DEA and the Department of Justice, I remain committed to ensuring these individuals have the tools they need to keep our communities safe.

Urging Increased Access to Steel and Aluminum Supplies

This week, I urged Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to take steps to increase American manufacturers’ access to vital world supplies. As our nation’s economy rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic, many Kansas manufacturers are struggling to take part in the recovery as the availability of steel and aluminum has plummeted and prices for raw materials have surged. While consumer prices have risen by about 4 percent in the past year, steel prices have risen by nearly 400 percent. I support our nation having a strong and reliable domestic steel and aluminum industry. However, U.S. steel and aluminum producers simply cannot meet the current demand. As the lead Republican on the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee, I look forward to working with Secretary Raimondo and Ambassador Tai to provide relief for manufacturers from high prices and shortages in supply of steel and aluminum. The full letter can be found here.

Discussing the Eviction Moratorium and Housing Issues with the Kansas NAHRO Chapter

I was pleased to gather in Salina on Monday with the Kansas Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) to learn from those in attendance how I can help with housing issues across the state.

Housing is a multifaceted issue that receives attention from a variety of groups including local businesses and chambers of commerce, as well as county and city officials. As a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs with jurisdiction over U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), I am invested in reducing the regulatory burdens for Kansans working with HUD. We had the opportunity to discuss the Supreme Court’s decision to block the unconstitutional eviction moratorium. This eviction moratorium has upended the livelihoods of landowners, the majority of whom are small business owners with just a few properties. I thank Kansas NAHRO chapter members, including Sheila Barnett, Kansas NAHRO President and Executive Director of Goodland Housing Authority and Bradley Gamber, Executive Director for the Winfield Housing Authority, for the invitation to speak with them this week.

Read more about our conversation from the Salina Journal here.

Joining the Annual McPherson County Farm Bureau Meeting

This week, I joined the annual McPherson County Farm Bureau Meeting where I had the opportunity to speak with farmers, ranchers and community leaders from the area. We spoke about the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan and the tragic deaths of our servicemembers, as well as the importance of supporting Afghans pursuing freedom. We also discussed the importance of rural Midwest values to the success and moral integrity of our country. The sensible and sound judgement that comes from Kansans is important to the country as a whole, and Farm Bureau is an important part of making sure those ideas are shared nationwide. Thank you to President Landon Shaw and County Coordinator Mitz Fawl for letting me speak with you this week.

Update from Washburn President Dr. Jerry Farley
On Wednesday, I met with Dr. Jerry Farley, President of Washburn University, where he provided me with university updates and showed me around the newly completed Indoor Athletic Facility and the new School of Law construction site. These structures bring welcome upgrades to Washburn’s campus, and I was impressed to see the progress of ongoing construction. I am looking forward to seeing the completion for Washburn students and faculty to enjoy. President Farley also provided me with a COVID-19 update, where we discussed how the pandemic is influencing higher education and stressed the importance of getting vaccinated.

Thank you to Dr. Farley for driving the “Bod Mobile” and for his time as Washburn begins a new academic year.

Meeting with Civic Club Members Across Kansas

Wellington
It was good to be back in Wellington on Tuesday to visit with Rotary club members. I appreciated the opportunity to see the Technology and Innovation Center at Cowley College’s Sumner campus, which offers manufacturing, agricultural studies, computer science and information technology programs.

Our conversation centered around concerns regarding rural health care and the labor shortages affecting communities across Kansas. Wellington lost its hospital in early 2020, and the community has struggled maintaining health care services ever since. I appreciated the Rotarians providing me an update on what life has been like since the hospital’s closure and how they have adapted. Thank you to Jan Grace and the Rotary for allowing me to visit, as well as to Representative Bill Rhiley for attending this discussion.

Topeka
I met with Rotary members in our state’s capital to discuss the issues important to the Topeka community. We also discussed my work on the Senate VA committee and the need to support our veterans and sevicemembers in whatever way we can. I thank members for their time speaking with me on Wednesday.

Belleville
On Friday, I visited with members of the Belleville Lions Club. We discussed the increase in calls, texts and chats to the Veterans Crisis Line following the events in Afghanistan. We also discussed rural broadband, as well as the growing concern that some in Congress may seek to change step-up in basis, a tax provision that allows farmers and ranchers to pass land to the next generation without a burdensome tax liability. Any change to this provision will hurt family farms and ranches across Kansas, and I will oppose any efforts to change step-up in basis. Rural America makes our county what it is, and I will continue to work to keep rural Kansas and its special way of life alive.

Participating in Longford Rodeo Parade

Thank you to all the folks I saw in Longford this weekend at the parade. Started in 1955, I enjoyed being a part of this longstanding Kansas community tradition.

Meeting with Yellow Corporation Leadership

This week, I had the opportunity to meet with the leadership team of Yellow Freight CEO Darren Hawkins, President Darrel Harris and Vice President of External Affairs Mike Kelley. During our meeting, we discussed their need for CDL drivers and programs they are instituting to increase the training and hiring of workers. We also discussed my legislation, the Promoting Women in Trucking Workforce Act. This bill would establish a Women in Trucking Advisory Board to drive new opportunities for women and promote equality for those who are currently working in the trucking Industry. Additionally, we discussed my support of the Developing Responsible Individuals for a Vibrant Economy (DRIVE-Safe) Act which works to address the driver shortage in the trucking and logistics industry and enhance safety training and job opportunities for young truckers. Thank you to Darren Hawkins and Darrel Harris for hosting me. I look forward to continuing to work on addressing these important issues at the federal level.

Visiting with High School Students in North Central Kansas

Washington County High School and Concordia High School

One aspect of serving Kansans that I enjoy greatly is hearing from and meeting with Kansas students. This week, I visited Concordia Junior-Senior High School and Washington County High School where I received tours from student leaders and learned about their classes and curriculum as they begin a new school year.

I believe having students physically present in classrooms for safe, in-person instruction is vital to help students better develop interpersonal skills and ensure academic growth is not diminished. I commend all students, teachers and faculty for being resilient through this difficult time and am committed to making certain that every Kansan has access to quality educational opportunities.

Thank you to Makenna, Garrett, Kady, Emily and Coy of Washington County High School and to Aiden, Jenna and Ashley of Concordia Junior-Senior High School for showing me around your classrooms and hallways this week. Thank you as well to USD 108 Superintendent Denise O’Dea, Board President Rod Stewart, WCHS Principal Brock Funke, CJSHS Principal Kale Katt and teacher Keaton Snavely for your time.

Visiting Bradbury Company in Moundridge

On Tuesday morning, I stopped into Moundridge to reconnect with Bradbury Company, which began manufacturing roll tooling for customers involved in metal forming in 1959. Their product lines include roll forming equipment, levelers and automated production systems, and they have branches located across the world. Thank you to CEO David Cox for the discussion we had about government policies that impact Bradbury’s capabilities and learning of his support for infrastructure investments.

Visiting Bennington and Hannover

Bennington
Thank you to everyone I spoke with when I stopped in Bennington this week. My conversations with folks at city hall, the post office, bank, school and local businesses guide the work I do in Washington, D.C, and I appreciate anyone who took time out of their day to speak with me.

Hanover
I also visited Hanover this week and chatted with people I met at the hardware store, bank, hospital, post office, convenience store and insurance agency. Thank you to everyone who spoke with me in Washington County on your Friday morning.

Rosh Hashanah

Wishing Kansans and those around the globe celebrating Rosh Hashanah a healthy and joyful new year.

Please let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email by clicking here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C. office.

Sens. Moran, Marshall Join Colleagues in Demanding Answers About U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.) joined Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and 23 of their Senate colleagues in demanding information from President Biden regarding the Americans and allies who were left behind and on the vetting process for evacuees who are being brought to the United States.

“The signatories of this letter may have differing opinions about whether the United States should have maintained a military presence in Afghanistan, but we all agree that the arbitrary and poorly-planned method by which you withdrew from Afghanistan caused this crisis,” the Senators wrote. “We request thorough, unclassified answers to these questions that can be made available to the general public. Americans need to see that the United States will not abandon them to terrorists abroad forever.”

Sens. Moran, Marshall and Cotton were joined on the letter by Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Pat Toomey (R-Penn.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).

The full letter can be found HERE or below.

Dear President Biden:

We write regarding the humanitarian crisis created by your withdrawal of the United States from Afghanistan, and the safety and well-being of our fellow countrymen and allies who you left behind. The signatories of this letter may have differing opinions about whether the United States should have maintained a military presence in Afghanistan, but we all agree that the arbitrary and poorly-planned method by which you withdrew from Afghanistan caused this crisis.

You say that more than 123,000 individuals have been evacuated from Afghanistan in recent weeks (nearly half of whom were evacuated by groups or countries other than the United States), but only an estimated 5,500 “self-identified” American citizens (4.5% of the total evacuees) were evacuated or left on their own. Further, while it does not appear that you have released exact numbers of our Afghan partners who were evacuated, your administration has publicly confirmed that fewer than 50% of evacuated Afghans were Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants or their families.

Our immediate priority is the safety and well-being of American citizens, permanent residents, and allies who were left behind in Afghanistan. We are also concerned by reports that ineligible individuals, including Afghans with ties to terrorist organizations or serious, violent criminals, were evacuated alongside innocent refugee families. We request that you provide answers to the following questions no later than 5:00PM on Tuesday, September 7:

How many American citizens does the administration believe to remain in Afghanistan?
- Of the American citizens still in Afghanistan, how many are currently in contact with the State Department?
- Of the American citizens still in Afghanistan, how many have expressed a desire to be repatriated to the United States?
- How did the administration reach this estimate, and what steps is the administration taking to find and connect with Americans who may still be in Afghanistan but who are not in contact with the State Department?
How many green-card holders does the administration believe to remain in Afghanistan?
- Of the green-card holders still in Afghanistan, how many are currently in contact with the State Department?
- Of the green card holders still in Afghanistan, how many have expressed a desire to be repatriated to the United States?
- How did the administration reach this estimate, and what efforts is the administration taking to find and connect with green-card holders who may still be in Afghanistan but who are not in contact with the State Department?
How many Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants remain in Afghanistan?
- Of the SIVs remaining in Afghanistan, how many have already received final SIV approval from the U.S. Center for Immigration Services?
- Of the SIVs remaining in Afghanistan, how many are currently in contact with the State Department?
- Of the approved SIVs and the SIV applicants who were evacuated, how many served for a year or more as interpreters or translators for American or allied armed forces in Afghanistan?
- Are the State Department and USCIS still processing pending SIV applications? What steps are being taken to ensure that pending applicants are safe from Taliban reprisals as their applications are adjudicated?
According to your administration, more than 50% of evacuated Afghans were not SIV applicants or their families, including vulnerable Afghans such as women and girls at high risk for Taliban reprisals. Of the more than 57,000 Afghans who are not American citizens, green-card holders, or SIV applicants or their families, how many had no pending immigration application or status with the United States prior to being airlifted?
- By what criteria did your administration select these individuals for the airlift while leaving American citizens, green-card holders, and SIV applicants and their families behind?
- How many evacuees, in total, are Afghans who are not American citizens, green-card holders, or SIV applicants or their families? Please also provide a breakdown of how many of these individuals are adult men, adult women, girls, or boys.
- What steps did your administration take to verify the identities of these individuals before evacuation?
- What steps are your administration taking to ensure that individuals are thoroughly vetted and their identities verified before entering the United States?
- Who is responsible for vetting these evacuated individuals before they reach the United States?
- Is the administration checking for potential criminal records and national-security concerns before admitting individuals to the United States?
- There are reports that a convicted rapist—who had previously served a prison sentence in the United States before being deported—was flown to the national capital region as part of this airlift operation. Was that individual vetted before being flown to the United States? If so, was his criminal record found and ignored, or was it not found in the first place?
- How many other individuals have been allowed to enter the United States as part of this evacuation before undergoing vetting and background checks?

We request thorough, unclassified answers to these questions that can be made available to the general public. Americans need to see that the United States will not abandon them to terrorists abroad forever. If your answers implicate classified material, you may also submit a classified appendix to your answers and coordinate with us to provide a classified briefing.

We look forward to your prompt response.

# # #

Sen. Moran Promotes Jake Wessel to State Agriculture Representative

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today announced he has promoted Jake Wessel of Cedar Point, Kan. as his new State Agriculture Representative.

“Jake’s knowledge of farming and ranching stems from every aspect of his background, from growing up on a farm and ranch operation near Cedar Point, to his semesters spent as the late Dr. Barry Flinchbaugh’s trusted TA at Kansas State and his work with agricultural leaders in our nation’s capital,” said Sen Moran. “He understands the priorities and concerns of farmers and ranchers across Kansas, and his commitment to Kansas’ leadership in agriculture will serve our state well.”

Jake previously served as Sen. Moran’s Agriculture Legislative Correspondent in Washington, D.C. Jake was born and raised on his family farm and ranch in Chase County, Kan. and graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Agribusiness.

# # #

Topeka-Capital Journal: ‘We need to be very cautious about utilizing our military': Jerry Moran reflects on Afghanistan and 9/11

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 12:00:00 EST

‘We need to be very cautious about utilizing our military': Jerry Moran reflects on Afghanistan and 9/11

Topeka Capital-Journal | Jason Tidd

As the war in Afghanistan ends and the United States approaches the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran wants Congress to follow the Constitution in future wars.

He also wants soldiers who fought the war to know the problems in Afghanistan are the fault of suits in Washington, D.C., not servicemen and servicewomen.

"It's just a reminder that we need to be very cautious about utilizing our military," Moran said Thursday when asked to reflect on lessons learned over the two decades since 9/11. "If we're going to ask people to go to war, too often no one sacrifices except those who are serving and their families. The rest of the country needs to be brought into a decision about going to war and needs to experience the support necessary for the ongoing effort.

"Too often, we make a military decision, and it has public support for a short period of time. We need to make the case to the American people before we utilize lives of men and women. And I would encourage from now on that we no longer use authorizations of force and we do what the Constitution requires us to do, which is an actual declaration of war, which would put Congress much more in a position of making a decision whether this is a good idea, a bad idea, how beneficial it would be to the country to sacrifice."

The Constitution grants Congress the sole power to declare war, but it hasn't approved a formal declaration of war since World War II.

Last American troops left Afghanistan Aug. 31

The last American troops left the war-torn country on Aug. 31, ending America's longest war. But the 2001 Authorization of Use of Military Force, approved one week after the terrorist attacks, apparently remains on the books.

More than 2,400 American troops died in the Afghanistan war. The Kansas Historical Society military index shows 67 Kansans were killed in the Afghanistan war. The number includes personnel whose home of record was in Kansas or who were attached to Kansas-based military units.

Despite 20 years of military occupation, the chaotic U.S. retreat came as Taliban fighters quickly seized control of the country last month.

"We were on a path that was brighter than where this story now ends," said Moran, who visited Afghanistan four years ago. "And there were lots of evidence of Afghans working to try to make their country a better place. But ultimately, we were dealing with a government that couldn't govern, and corruption exists."

Evacuations continued for about two weeks after the capital of Kabul fell and the democratic government collapsed. A terrorist attack outside the international airport killed 13 American service members and at least 169 Afghan civilians.

President Joe Biden has faced bipartisan criticism for the hectic withdrawal and the apparent lack of preparedness.

Jerry Moran criticizes Biden administration's Afghanistan exit

Moran, who was in Topeka on Thursday for a tour at Washburn University, has been among the president's critics. He has called for the Senate to be called back into session to have hearings from administration officials.

"The problems we face as a result of the way we're coming out of Afghanistan certainly are not the consequence of someone serving Afghanistan in a uniform," Moran said. "It's about people who wear suits in Washington, DC, who made decisions that I think create huge problems, a humanitarian crisis and a national security issue that will not go away."

Moran encouraged Kansans to reach out to veterans to make sure they know their service was respected

"Servicemen and women who served in Afghanistan, are troubled by what they're hearing, seeing and reading," Moran said. "They're troubled by the fact that they have an interpreter or someone else who work side by side with them that's still in Afghanistan."

He said messages to the veterans suicide hotline are increasing, but not just from Afghanistan veterans. Many Vietnam veterans in particular have been troubled by the similarities between how the two wars ended.

The Veterans Crisis Line provides free, confidential support and crisis intervention by calling 1-800-273-8255, texting to 838255 or chatting online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat.

Mistakes, failures and preventing a terrorist safe haven

The Afghanistan war was fought under the supervision of four presidents: George Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Biden.

It was the Trump administration and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo who negotiated the peace deal with the Taliban. The original withdrawal deadline under Trump's deal was May 1, but Biden extended it to Aug. 31.

"The deadline, in my view was a mistake," Moran said. "If you set a deadline, don't say it publicly. And if you don't have what you need to accomplish by that date, then set aside that deadline."

Moran also criticized past administrations for the "lack of preparedness," especially on creating an immigrant visa program for Afghans who helped American troops.

"It was not evident if there was an effort that occurred in past administrations to make certain that the people who needed to be removed from the country had a path out," he said. "No evidence of that, as we departed this in this past month."

Moran said his office has information on about 1,000 cases of individuals, groups, families, churches, missionaries and others who have been left behind without an escape plan.

"We have failed in that regard to a lot of people who would be relying upon us for our help," he said. "They helped us and we, at the moment, are failing them."

He said he remains supportive of efforts to keep Afghanistan from becoming a "terrorist haven." He also anticipate hunger and famine in the country and a need for humanitarian aid.

The Republican senator said the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks should be a reminder of how Americans came together after the attacks and political partisanship was diminished in Washington, D.C.

Also, "It's a reminder that when we ask young men and women to go to war, we ought to have a plan for how we succeed in that effort," Moran said.

Kansas Reflector: Moran: Congress should vote on declarations of war before triggering military power

Thu, 02 Sep 2021 12:00:00 EST

Moran: Congress should vote on declarations of war before triggering military power

Kansas Reflector | Tim Carpenter

TOPEKA — U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran said withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan after 20 years of fighting affirmed in his mind the United States should operate under declarations of war approved by Congress rather than resolutions authorizing the executive branch to wage limitless war.

Moran, who toured Washburn University on Thursday, said the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack in which hijacked passenger jets were transformed into missiles hitting New York City and Washington, D.C., and crashing into a Pennsylvania field were defining moments. The immediate aftermath generated unity of purpose in this country and abroad, he said. It also led to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“It’s a reminder that when we ask young men and women to go to war, we ought to have a plan for how we succeed in that effort,” Moran said. “We need to make a case to the American people before we utilize lives of men and women.”

More than 2,500 American service members were killed in Afghanistan, the nation’s longest war, and approximately 4,500 U.S. troops died in Iraq.

Moran, a Republican, said the practice of adopting congressional resolutions authorizing military force in other countries should give way to votes on declarations of war as the U.S. Constitution envisioned. All six Kansans in the congressional delegation, including Moran, voted in favor of the 2001 Afghanistan resolution and the 2003 Iraq resolution. The last time the United States formally declared war was in World War II.

Moran said he was in Afghanistan four years ago and discerned the country was on the path for a brighter future. He witnessed Afghans working to make their country a better place. In the end, the senator said, the wheels fell off the Afghan government and the Taliban took control. The last U.S. forces flew out of Kabul, Afghanistan, under an agreement negotiated by President Donald Trump and by the Aug. 31 deadline established by President Joe Biden.

“Ultimately, we’re dealing with a government that couldn’t govern. Corruption exists,” Moran said. “It’s just a reminder that we need to be very cautious about utilizing our military. Too often, no one sacrifices except those who are serving and their families.”

The United States and allies removed about 120,000 people from Afghanistan before the withdrawal. It’s unclear how many thousands of Afghan people remain in that country and in peril under Taliban rule.

Moran said U.S. veteran suicide hotlines had experienced higher call volumes. Callers are Iraq and Afghanistan veterans in addition to people who served in Vietnam.

“Service men and women who served in Afghanistan are troubled by what they are hearing, reading and seeing,” Moran said. “They’re troubled by the fact they had an interpreter or someone else who worked side-by-side with them that’s still in Afghanistan.”

“The problems we face as a result of how we’re coming out of Afghanistan is certainly not the consequence of someone serving in Afghanistan in a uniform. It’s about people who wear suits in Washington, D.C.”

He was critical of the Biden administration’s handling of the airborne departure from Afghanistan. Biden should have prepared well in advance a more thoughtful plan for removal of U.S. citizens and Afghan allies. That operation should have featured a rapid visa approval process, he said.

“There was no process in place for a long time and certainly nothing recent that made any of that easy. Everything I know to date is we have failed,” Moran said.

He said the U.S. government and allies ought to concentrate on preventing Afghanistan’s transformation into a terrorist haven. He said Afghanistan would need humanitarian aid because “hunger and famine is around the corner.”

Honoring Those Who Perished Defending and Pursuing Freedom

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 12:00:00 EST

Honoring Those Who Perished Defending and Pursuing Freedom

My heart goes out to the families of the 13 servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as the innocent Afghans who have been killed or wounded in their pursuit of freedom. It is our duty to honor the service and sacrifice of all those who responded to the attacks on our country since 9/11 including those who lost their lives last week.

Earlier today, the military announced an end to the evacuation and the departure of all troops. However, the effort should not be over. The Biden administration must make certain they safely evacuate every American and those who served alongside our troops in Afghanistan. We must use every resource available to evacuate all Americans, allies and partners out of Afghanistan. Americans need leadership and strength from its commander-in-chief.

Our government cannot trust the Taliban to carry out our mission. They are an adversary and a terrorist organization. Relying on the Taliban to uphold commitments when they have routinely broken past promises is irresponsible and places lives at risk. President Biden must hold them accountable for any harm inflicted on those seeking to find freedom.

On Sunday, I joined Mike Emmanuel on Fox News to discuss the situation in Afghanistan – watch here or below.

Calling for a Plan of Action from President Biden
I continue to work with the State Department and Department of Defense to get U.S. citizens out of Afghanistan and have joined my Senate and House colleagues in demanding that President Biden provide answers regarding the U.S. strategy for Afghanistan. The full letter can be found here.

Watch my conversation with KSNT from last week regarding the ongoing events in Afghanistan by clicking here or below.

Repatriation Assistance
My staff and I have been providing information to the State Department in the effort to evacuate U.S. citizens, allies and those at risk of persecution. If you still know someone who is needing repatriation or evacuation assistance from Afghanistan, please contact my office immediately at casework@moran.senate.gov.

The U.S. Department of State has also launched a Kabul Repatriation Assistance form here for U.S. citizens.

Supporting Our Veterans
As the lead Republican on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I am also focused on supporting our veterans here at home as they watch the news of Afghanistan. The veterans who answered the call to protect our nation after September 11 deserve our utmost respect and gratitude. These veterans brought justice to Osama bin Laden and served with duty and purpose. They need to know they are not alone and that we will never forget their sacrifice. I encourage each of us to reach out to our friends and loved ones who have served to check-in and make certain they know they are loved and that their service made a difference.

Click here for a list of resources available to veterans and veteran families and caregivers following the recent events in Afghanistan.

Joining Veterans in Independence

As the lead Republican on the Senate VA Committee, I went to the Veterans Roundup hosted by the local VFW Post #1186 in Independence on Friday. Started in 2018, this event has grown out of a desire by local veterans involved in the VFW to help their peers in the region file VA claims and answer their questions. Each event reaches hundreds of veterans, from near and far, and now includes representatives from state and local organizations.

As the horrific events in Afghanistan continue to unfold, this event had a very different tone this year. It is important for veterans to know that their service helped improve the lives of others and safeguarded our freedoms and for them to know that the situation we are seeing now isn’t their fault. Thank you to each veteran for their sacrifices for our country. I encourage all Kansans to reach out to the veterans they know and loved ones who have served to check-in and make certain they know they are loved and that their service made a difference.

Thank you to VFW Post #1186 leaders Donnie Collier, Doug Harlan, Mike Hall and Ryan York for all the work you do to support veterans and for having me.

Keynote at the 36th Space Symposium

This week, I gave one of the keynote addresses at the 36th Space Symposium. The annual symposium brings together space and defense leaders from around the world to discuss and plan for the future of space. I had the honor of speaking with my colleagues Gen. Raymond with the U.S. Space Force, NASA Administrator Nelson, Air Force Secretary Kendall, and Gen. Dickinson of U.S. Space Command, among many others. As the lead Republican of the Senate Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over NASA, and a seat on both the Commerce Committee and the Defense Appropriations subcommittee, I have the unique opportunity to advocate for and advance our leadership in space through the distinct and multifaceted lens it deserves.

Read more about my address from SpaceNews by clicking here.

While at the symposium, I also arranged meetings with established and rising space companies to promote our Kansas capabilities and talents. As this industry continues to grow, I am committed to furthering our state’s opportunities within the aerospace business, and I was joined by Dr. John Tomblin, Executive Director of the National Institute for Aviation Research, to help convey our abilities. I also had the opportunity to walk the exhibition floor and visit with the local companies in attendance, including Mr. Hess and Ms. Greenberg of Enduralock and Mr. Foerschler, Mr. Clinton and Mr. Koeingsfield of Burns & McDonnell.

I provided an open invitation for aerospace industries to join me in Kansas to witness our engineering and manufacturing capabilities. Kansas will play an ever increasing role as we continue to pursue our nation’s space goals, and I was honored to convey our talents and capabilities to this year’s distinguished audience. Thank you to the Space Foundation for the opportunity to address the symposium.

The CDC’s Eviction Moratorium Ruled Unconstitutional Executive Overreach

On Thursday, the Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision to block the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) eviction moratorium. The court determined that the CDC’s moratorium was unconstitutional executive overreach and a nationwide ban on evictions requires Congressional authorization, just as we made clear to the Biden administration earlier this month. Landlords, the majority of whom are small businesses with just a few properties, have had minimal recourse to recoup billions in lost income due to the moratorium. With nearly $50 billion in federal funds appropriated for rental assistance, the burden is on state and local governments to combat pandemic-related housing instability by efficiently distributing this funding, not mom-and-pop landlords.

Seeking Update on a Phase IV Provider Relief Fund Distribution

This week, a bipartisan group of my colleagues and I urged Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Becerra to provide an immediate update on plans to distribute unobligated funds remaining in the Provider Relief Fund (PRF). Kansas hospitals, nursing homes, senior living providers, community health centers and other health care providers have needed these funds as a lifeline to weather the financial difficulties created by the pandemic. Over the course of the pandemic, Congress has appropriated $178 billion for the PRF as well as an additional $8.5 billion for rural providers; however, the PRF funding distribution process has been uneven due to shifting guidance, difficulties in reconciling tax information, the absence of a formal appeals process and other technical difficulties.

Even now, as Kansas and the country see a significant rise in hospitalizations that are causing a strain on health care facilities, especially those in rural communities, HHS has neglected to release the remaining PRF funding. On July 19, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported about 25 percent of PRF appropriation and all of the rural provider funding remain unobligated as of May 31, 2021. GAO recommended HHS communicate information about, and facilitate oversight of, the department’s use of COVID-19 relief funds by providing projected time frames for its distribution in a plan submitted to Congress. My colleagues and I fully agree with the GAO’s assessment and ask HHS to announce and implement its plans for additional disbursement of PRF, adhering to congressional intent laid out in the CARES Act.

Meeting with Members of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce

I was pleased to be in Garden City on Wednesday to hear from Garden City civic and business leaders about investments in Kansas law enforcement, as well as Amtrak and its Southwest Chief line and the Garden City Regional Airport terminal project. We also had the opportunity to discuss the importance of access to a community college and how decisions about education should be made closer to home.

I thank the chamber for the important discussion and appreciate everyone who took time out of their day to speak with me. Thank you to the state and community leaders who attended, including Kansas Senator John Doll, Garden City Mayor Roy Cessna, City Commissioner Shannon Dick, City of Garden City Manager Matt Allen, Garden City Police Chief Courtney Prewitt, Finney County Commissioner Lon Pishny, Finney County Administrator Robert Reece, Garden City Community College President Dr. Ryan Ruda, GCCC Trustees Shanda Smith, Beth Tedrow, David Rupp, Leonard Hitz and Dr. Luther Fry. Thank you also to Myca Bunch with the Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce for organizing the event, and to Garden City Community College President Dr. Ryan Ruda for hosting.

Read more about our discussion in the Garden City Telegram here.

Supporting Law Enforcement with Kansas Sheriffs’ Association

My discussions with law enforcement throughout Kansas center on the many issues that stem from drug and narcotic-related crime. On Wednesday, I met with the Kansas Sheriffs’ Association and discussed the issues important to them, including how critical a Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) office in southwest Kansas is to the security of communities across the region. As the Ranking Member on the Appropriations subcommittee that supports the Department of Justice and our federal law enforcement agencies, it is vital that we provide the necessary resources to our agents so they can better protect our country and mitigate drug crimes across Kansas and the country.

I thank Ronald Miller, U.S. Marshal for the District of Kansas, Greg Anderson, DEA Resident Agent in Charge and Rogeana Patterson-King, DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge for this conversation, and their dedicated work to make our communities a safer place.

Visiting with Cimarron Lions Club and Gray County Seniors
I had the opportunity to speak with members of the Cimarron Lions Club and community seniors as we gathered at the Gray County Over 50 Center. I heard from people about their concerns regarding how vaccine mandates would affect the recruitment and retention of nurses in long-term care facilities and the difficulty of accessing child care throughout rural communities. We also discussed the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and my work on the Senate VA Committee as we see a 9 percent increase on the VA suicide hotline and my work to provide more practical health resources for veterans in rural communities including the GHAPS Act and the Rural Veterans Travel Enhancement Act. As we continue to watch events in Afghanistan unfold, it’s important to reach out to our veterans and let them know we respect their service, we are here for them and that we love them. Thank you to those who joined me Wednesday afternoon.

Visiting Dodge City Community College

This week, I met with Dodge City Community College (DCCC) President Dr. Harold Nolte, Board of Trustee members and senior staff to discuss the impact of community colleges and technical programs. DCCC has seen a 23 percent growth in enrollment and a 93 percent growth in technical education. What happens at DCCC has a huge impact on the region and state, and too often we under emphasize the value of community college and technical education programs. We also discussed the importance of TRIO programs and Pell Grants, my Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) legislation and my role on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee this Congress.

Thank you to Trustee Kathy Ramsour, VP of Finance and Admissions Jeff Cermin, VP of Academic Affairs Dr. Jane Holwerda, VP of Student Affairs Dr. Jay Kinzer, VP of Workforce Development Dr. Clayton Tatro, AVP of Human Resources and Admissions Kristi Ohlschwager, AVP of Online and Outreach Learning Dr. Jodi Rust, Foundation and Community Relations Director Christina Haselhorst, Athletic Director Jacob Ripple, Assistant Director of Marketing and Community Relations Lance Ziesch for speaking with me.

Joining Independence Rotary

While in Independence this week, I joined rotary where our discussion, like so many this week, focused on Afghanistan. We were also able to discuss the issues important to Independence and my work with community members in the past to help save the local hospital. During our conversation, we touched on the declining rural population in communities across Kansas and the Midwest, including in Independence, and my work as a U.S. Senator for Kansas working to preserve rural Kanas’ future and our state’s special way of life. Thank you to Lisa Wilson for her work coordinating the program and Rep. Jim Kelly for the introduction, as well as everyone in attendance for allowing me to join you on Friday.

Upcoming Deadline: Application Process for Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) reopened its application process for the Aviation Manufacturing Jobs Protection Program (AMJP). The initial application period for the AMJP program closed, as planned, on Tuesday, July 13. However, DOT has decided to reopen the application process on Wednesday, August 4 as some businesses may not have understood the relationship between the AMJP and the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) programs.

The program was created by legislation I introduced with Congressman Ron Estes and is structured to support aviation manufacturers impacted by COVID-19 and works to ensure the experienced and invaluable aviation manufacturing workforce will be safeguarded and available to contribute as the industry recovers.

Applicants who have applied and received confirmation that their application was received do not need to resubmit an application.

Applications will be accepted for four weeks. The deadline to submit an AMJP application is this Wednesday, September 1 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Additionally, anyone is free to submit questions, particularly about the application process, to AMJP@dot.gov. An overview of the AMJP application process is available here.

Honored to Serve You in Washington
It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a form of letter, a Facebook comment or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard.

Please let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email by clicking here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C. office.

Wichita Eagle: Partnerships lead the way in providing care to rural Kansas veterans

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 12:00:00 EST

Partnerships lead the way in providing care to rural Kansas veterans

Special to the Wichita Eagle | Tony Leiding

The highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 has placed a renewed spotlight on healthcare in rural communities and caused a resurgence of concerns about whether we are properly equipped to handle the new cases. Concerns are so high, in fact, that the federal government announced recently it plans to give more than $23 million to Kansas’ rural hospitals to prepare.

That funding could prove vital, given how earlier surges in new cases pushed rural hospitals to their limit. However, it will take more moving forward to make sure that the people who live in these rural areas have access to the healthcare they need, especially our nation’s veterans.

Living in less populated rural areas can make it difficult for patients to access basic care, and veterans are especially susceptible to this since they are more likely to live in rural parts of the country. Whether it is the COVID-19 pandemic or any of the other broader challenges for rural patients, there is a serious access problem for the women and men who have served.

These issues are of particular concern for states like Kansas, which more than 165,000 veterans call home. Veterans are valued members of our community, and it’s our obligation to help bridge some of the gaps they encounter when trying to get the care they need.

That’s why it’s refreshing when lawmakers, like Kansas’ own Sen. Jerry Moran, not only acknowledge these challenges but work to alleviate them. Earlier this year, Moran introduced a bill that would ease some of the major obstacles facing rural veterans by making telehealth services more readily available, along with other programs designed to reach veterans who live in places that may not be near a hospital.

While bills like this are certainly a good start, it will still take more to make sure that we are actively working to reduce the barriers that rural veterans face. More than just government action, it will take collaboration between the government and private industry to come up with achievable, innovative answers to some of rural healthcare’s toughest questions.

It’s a process we’re already watching play out first-hand here in Kansas. Just this year, it was announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs would expand its Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations program, which is designed to make telehealth services more easily accessible to rural veterans, to Kansas. Working with the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Philips North America, the VA uses the program to install telehealth pods in local American Legion and VFW posts, meaning veterans don’t have to trek to the nearest VA hospital – sometimes hundreds of miles away – for basic care.

As Sen. Moran himself noted, it’s an important step to ensure that those who served our country can get the level and quality of healthcare they deserve no matter where they call home. We need Moran and other lawmakers in Washington to continue to support measures that foster these types of private-public partnerships seeking to expand veterans’ access to healthcare and enable them to succeed.

The past year has shown that there are still some considerable hurdles to get over as we try to make the necessary healthcare services available to our nation’s veterans. Partnerships like the ATLAS program are showing us, however, that they are hurdles we can overcome, so long as they have the support they need from the country’s leaders.

Tony Leiding is a U.S. Army veteran from Wichita whose service included deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. He works for a Wichita-based energy company.

Sen. Moran: If you know someone who is needing evacuation assistance from Afghanistan, please contact my office immediately

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 12:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) is offering assistance to Kansans seeking evacuation assistance from Afghanistan for themselves, loved ones or colleagues.

“Our country’s priority must be repatriating Americans and evacuating those who served alongside our troops from Afghanistan as the situation in Kabul and across the country continues to deteriorate,” said Sen. Moran. “My staff and I have been providing information to the State Department in the effort to evacuate U.S. citizens, allies and those at risk of persecution. If you still know someone who is needing repatriation or evacuation assistance from Afghanistan, please contact my office immediately.”

To request assistance, contact Sen. Moran’s office at casework@moran.senate.gov or by calling 202-224-6521.

The U.S. Department of State has also launched a Kabul Repatriation Assistance form here for U.S. citizens.

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