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Strengthening Sanctions Against North Korea
Feb 10 2016
Mr. President, thank you for recognizing me. The pending legislation that we are visiting about today provides tougher sanctions on North Korea and I consider it a significant development and it’s certainly welcome as Congress once again begins to assert its role in defending national security and curtailing the growing number of nuclear weapons around the globe.
In the decade since North Korea's first successful nuclear test, the threat of nuclear proliferation has not diminished. We concluded, the United States concluded an agreement with Iran that leaves its nuclear infrastructure in place, causing others in the region to declare their own interest in obtaining nuclear weapons.
Pakistan's nuclear arsenal is the fastest growing in the world, and it continues to destabilize the region through its ties to terror organizations. And North Korea continues to build its nuclear stockpile and its ability to deliver future weapons.
In all three of these circumstances, Congress has been the source of pressure on these nations--enacting tougher sanctions on Iran, placing a hold on security funding for Pakistan, and now this legislation today builds on those previous efforts. The results may vary, but as I see it, my colleagues in this Chamber and in the House have been much more proactive than the administration in imposing the costs for failing to adhere to international norms.
President Obama's approach of strategic patience has failed to accomplish the objective in bringing North Korea back to the negotiating table, and certainly no agreement by them to dismantle their nuclear arsenal and their nuclear program. North Korea has tested three nuclear weapons on the President's watch and some experts believe its stockpile could grow to 100 weapons by 2020 – from 10 to 15 weapons today. In addition to nuclear weapons, the regime is believed to possess chemical and biological weapons.
North Korea is advancing in missile technology and has engaged in cyber-attacks against South Korea, Japan and American entities. North Korean missiles might not yet be able to reach the continental United States, but American service members stationed in South Korea and Japan and tens of millions of innocent lives are menaced by the threat of weapons of mass destruction in the possession of an aggressive regime with little regard for what the world thinks of it.
The Arms Control Association notes, and I quote, “North Korea has been a key supplier of missiles and missile technology to countries in the developing world, particularly in politically unstable regions such as the Middle East and South Asia.” The recipients of such expertise are said to be Pakistan and Iran, among others. In fact, American intelligence judged the Syrian nuclear reactor destroyed by the Israeli Air Force in 2007 to have been constructed with North Korean assistance.
Equally worthy of attention is Kim Jong Un's regime’s brutal treatment of its own people. Just 2 years ago, the U.N. Human Rights Council published a report concluding that “the gravity, scale, and nature of these violations reveal a State that does not have any parallel in the contemporary world.”
It would be disingenuous to stand here and place all the blame on the President or the administration. North Korea is the one – is one of the most difficult nations in the world to understand and regional complexities make it difficult to find a solution.
North Korea has taken advantage of lapses in American resolve during both the Clinton and Bush administrations, conducting its first nuclear test in 2006. Nevertheless, it’s obvious to me that a change in approach is necessary. “Strategic patience” has been exhausted. Stronger measures are necessary. While the ideal approach is to work in concert with the U.N. Security Council, we cannot afford to wait for consensus on punitive measures from the U.N. that may never come.
My colleagues have written legislation that ensures sanctions are mandatory, only to be waived on a case-by-case basis that requires a written explanation justifying the waiver.
The secondary sanctions will penalize those outside of North Korea who assist in the regime's nefarious behavior. Without China's support in restricting North Korea's ambition, the efforts of America and the world face an uphill battle. Up to this point, China believes that an unstable North Korea is more dangerous than a North Korea with an advanced nuclear program; therefore, the enforcement of secondary sanctions is a necessary step to seek cooperation in dismantling their nuclear program.
I am pleased that the bill includes language to deter and punish cyber-attacks by codifying sanctions as well as requiring the President to offer a counterstrategy to North Korea's cyber capabilities. The ongoing cyber activities are damaging to our security and our economy as well as the economy and security of our friends. The bill also attempts to address the deplorable treatment of the North Korean people by their own government.
This legislation is certainly not without risk. China may retaliate in some manner, North Korea may become even more bellicose, and it could be – could very well fail to pressure Kim's regime to surrender its nuclear program. Yet, it’s painfully clear that the status quo is not working and that global security is imperiled as our government stands by.
Fear of risk and failure will not stop us from exhausting all peaceful options to curb nuclear proliferation. Every effort must be made to convince North Korea to surrender its nuclear weapons. Congress is once again doing its part in the fight against proliferation.
Chairman Corker, and Senator Gardner, and the members of the Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Durbin – who is on the floor – ought to be commended for their leadership on this issue and I look forward to joining them in passing legislation later today that will put teeth to American diplomacy.
Sen. Moran Praises Funding for Kansas Army National Guard Readiness Center at Fort Leavenworth
Feb 09 2016
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Defense and Co-Chair of the Senate Defense Communities Caucus, praised inclusion $29 million in the Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2017 Budget for a new Readiness Center on Fort Leavenworth for the Kansas Army National Guard’s 35th Infantry Division.
“Fort Leavenworth is home to critical capabilities and infrastructure for our Kansas Army National Guard in addition to serving as the Intellectual Center of the Army,” Sen. Moran said. “Through the newly established Army University and as the base for our 35th Infantry Division in the Army National Guard, Fort Leavenworth is vital to our national security through education, training and development of future military leaders. The Kansas Army National Guard, Guardsmen from across the country, and the Leavenworth community will benefit from this investment in Kansas.”
Sen. Moran has emphasized prioritization of this project with the National Guard Bureau and the Department of Defense for several years. In March 2014, Sen. Moran received official explanations and timing that projected funding for fiscal year 2018. Over the past two years, Sen. Moran continued to advocate for funding of this important readiness center, and the funding was requested for fiscal year 2017.
Background:
The 35th Infantry Division is one of eight divisions in the Army National Guard. The 35th Infantry Division enjoys a training alignment with the 33rd Infantry Brigade, Illinois; 45th Infantry Brigade, Oklahoma; 48th Infantry Brigade, Georgia; 67th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade Nebraska; 142nd Fires Brigade, Arkansas; 35th Aviation Brigade, Missouri; 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Missouri; and 287th Sustainment Brigade, Kansas.
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Sen. Moran Praises Funding for New Air Traffic Control Tower at McConnell Air Force Base
Feb 09 2016
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Defense and Co-Chair of the Senate Defense Communities Caucus, today praised inclusion of $19.8 million in the Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2017 Budget request for military construction on McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kan. Construction projects include a new Air Traffic Control Tower ($11.2 million) and KC-46A projects.
“I’m pleased to learn McConnell will finally receive a new air traffic control tower,” Sen. Moran said. “As airmen execute missions across the globe, this investment highlights the importance of the McConnell to the Air Force. I’m proud of the airmen of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing and 931st Air Refueling Group who are preparing for the arrival of the tankers later this year – these projects will complement their capabilities for future missions. I will continue working to prioritize funding to support the efforts of our servicemen and women.”
At a Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing tomorrow, Sen. Moran will question Air Force Secretary Deborah James and Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh about these projects.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) will host Dr. Richard J. Hodes, National Institute on Aging (NIA) Director, in Kansas City on Monday, February 15, for an opportunity to learn more about promising medical research occurring in Kansas. Sen. Moran and Dr. Hodes will tour Kansas laboratories focused on aging research, including the University of Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Center (ADC), and receive an overview of the NIA-supported Alzheimer’s research taking place at KU ADC. Dr. Hodes and Sen. Moran will also speak at a forum on the State of Alzheimer’s Disease Research with KU faculty, students, researchers and Alzheimer’s advocates.
“As the baby boomer generation ages, Alzheimer’s has unfortunately become a disease to define a generation – but it doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of the aging process,” Sen. Moran said. “I am honored that Dr. Hodes accepted my invitation to see firsthand how Kansas has become a leader in advancing medical research to combat devastating diseases like Alzheimer’s. The research being done at NIA and clinical research institutions throughout the country, including in our state, offers hope to the 51,000 people living with Alzheimer’s in Kansas and their more than 150,000 caregivers. By prioritization of our biomedical research capabilities, Alzheimer’s may one day become a preventable, treatable and curable disease.”
NIA is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is the United States’ primary agency for aging research. A leading immunologist, Dr. Hodes was named NIA Director in 1993 and spearheads the federal research effort to find effective ways to treat or prevent Alzheimer’s disease. He also oversees studies of the biological, clinical, behavioral and social aspects of aging.
As a member of the Senate Appropriations Health Subcommittee that funds NIH, Sen. Moran is committed to prioritizing funding for Alzheimer’s and dementia research to extend quality of life for patients and significantly reduce the cost of caring for them in years to come. Serving as ranking member of the subcommittee in 2013 and 2014, Sen. Moran led the charge to secure an increase of $100 million in the fiscal year 2014 budget for Alzheimer’s research – the largest increase in Alzheimer’s research funding to date. Sen. Moran also worked with his colleagues on the subcommittee to include an additional $350 million for Alzheimer’s disease research in fiscal year 2016. He has received the Alzheimer’s Association Humanitarian Award for his contributions to advancements in research and enhanced care and support for people with Alzheimer’s disease.
According to Alzheimer’s Association 2015 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts & Figures, more than 5 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease and that number is poised to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050. In addition to the human toll of the disease, care for Alzheimer’s, the country’s most expensive condition, cost the nation $226 billion in 2015 with projections to reach $1.1 trillion by 2050. Nearly one in five dollars spent by Medicare is on someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
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Sen. Moran Praises Funding for New Air Traffic Control Tower at McConnell Air Force Base
Feb 09 2016
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Defense and Co-Chair of the Senate Defense Communities Caucus, today praised inclusion of $19.8 million in the Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2017 Budget request for military construction on McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kan. Construction projects include a new Air Traffic Control Tower ($11.2 million) and KC-46A projects.
“I’m pleased to learn McConnell will finally receive a new air traffic control tower,” Sen. Moran said. “As airmen execute missions across the globe, this investment highlights the importance of the McConnell to the Air Force. I’m proud of the airmen of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing and 931st Air Refueling Group who are preparing for the arrival of the tankers later this year – these projects will complement their capabilities for future missions. I will continue working to prioritize funding to support the efforts of our servicemen and women.”
At a Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing tomorrow, Sen. Moran will question Air Force Secretary Deborah James and Air Force Chief of Staff General Mark Welsh about these projects.
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HAYS, Kan. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Fort Hays State University (FHSU) today announced that FHSU has been awarded a grant of more than $700,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to develop curricula focused on the use of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) in precision agriculture. The program under development by FHSU, in partnership with Hutchinson Community College (HCC) and Emporia State University (ESU), aims to enhance and improve the technical and analytical skill sets of the next generation of farm managers, technicians and crop advisors.
As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Sen. Moran supported a $1 million increase in federal funding for the USDA Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land Grant College of Agriculture Program, which is furnishing the $701,072 FHSU grant. This is the second largest grant given out by the program this year, and one of the larger federal grants ever received by FHSU.
“Investments in research grants for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture provide hands-on learning opportunities for students with the added benefit of discovering new information to be utilized by farmers and ranchers,” Sen. Moran said. “This grant awarded to Fort Hays State University will go toward an effort to link the enormous potential of incorporating UAS into precision agriculture with real world application of the technology. Strong support of agricultural research makes certain our producers are on the forefront of technological advancements and ahead of our global competitors in agriculture.”
The new curricula will teach both the gathering data by UAS and the incorporation of the data into agriculture. The primary focus will be on providing students with experiential-learning opportunities involving the hands-on use of sUAS and analytical tools along with “real world” experiences applying data in management decision-making.
“We are very grateful to Senator Jerry Moran for his vote of confidence in stewarding the process that ultimately resulted in awarding this grant to Fort Hays State University,” FHSU President Mirta M. Martin said. “This is an investment in the future, not only for our students, but for our region and our state. It is particularly significant, as it illustrates the benefits derived from uniting academic disciplines under our newly created College of Science, Technology and Mathematics. When people come together for the common good, excellence is the outcome.”
The primary beneficiaries of this grant will be students pursuing post-secondary agricultural degrees at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) and Hutchinson Community College (HCC), as well as degrees in natural resource management at Emporia State University (ESU) and FHSU. Farmers and ranchers on the Great Plains and Flint Hills will also benefit through open houses, field days, and workshops held at each institution’s farms and natural areas that will demonstrate and provide experience with new UAS technology in the support of the agricultural economy.
Demand is high and the job outlook is very strong for individuals skilled in the understanding and use of precision agricultural technologies. In Kansas alone, the economic impact of sUAS technologies is estimated at $2.9 billion over the next decade. This grant will help make certain a skilled workforce is available to meet this potential.
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Sens. Moran, Roberts and Rep. Pompeo Introduce Legislation to Extend Equus Beds Authorization
Feb 04 2016
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) introduced legislation today (S. 2488) to extend the federal funding authorization for the Equus Beds Aquifer Recharge and Recovery Project by 10 years. Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS-04) also introduced the companion legislation (H.R. 4440) in the House to provide additional time for completion.
"Ten years ago, Congress determined, and the President agreed, that the Equus Beds project should be a priority and that determination is still true today," Sen. Moran said. "The Equus Beds Aquifer Recharge and Recovery Project has significant consequences for the city of Wichita and the state of Kansas as a whole, and we cannot allow this project to expire. Our legislation will help make certain the citizens of South Central Kansas will have a safe drinking water supply for decades to come."
"As a state that often experiences prolonged drought, Kansans understand the importance of a high quality and abundant water supply," Sen. Roberts said. "I’m glad we were able to extend the Equus Beds Aquifer Recharge and Recovery Project 10 years ago, and I look forward to continuing my work to ensure that the people of South Central Kansas can count on the Equus Beds Aquifer as a safe and lasting water source."
"The people of the fourth district have relied on the Equus Beds aquifer for a consistent supply of drinking water for many years," Rep. Pompeo said. "A decade ago, Congress and the president determined that the longevity of this resource was of the utmost importance – and it remains so today. I look forward to working with my colleagues on this legislation to ensure that this vital natural resource continues to provide safe and abundant water for many years to come."
"The Equus Beds are a vital resource not only for the City of Wichita but for our entire region," said Wichita Mayor Jeff Longwell. "The City of Wichita has made a significant investment in this project and we are thrilled that legislation is being introduced to continue protecting this asset for future generations."
The original authorization of federal funds for the project – which is administered by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) under the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) – began on Oct. 5, 2006, and was valid for 10 years from that date. Expiration of the authorization would make the project ineligible for further federal funding. Equus Beds is the primary fresh water source for south-central Kansas and lies under parts of Sedgwick, Harvey, Reno and McPherson Counties.
The Moran-Roberts-Pompeo legislation would allow for ongoing discussions to take place with the USBR regarding the available options to make certain the federal government fulfills its obligations to protect Wichita’s primary source of potable water.
To read the full text of the legislation, click below.
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WASHINGTON – In an effort to help Kansans as they prepare for tax season, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) sponsored legislation today – The Save Access to a Valuable Investment Needed to Generate Savings (SAVINGS) Act of 2016 (S.2478) – introduced by U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) to preserve the Tax Time Savings Bond program. The program provides taxpayers the option to receive IRS returns in the form of a paper U.S. Savings Bond and is an important savings opportunity, particularly for consumers without a checking account, a savings account, or other type of banking product.
“Savings are a critical component of financial security and upward mobility,” Sen. Moran said. “The SAVINGS Act reinforces an important existing avenue for Kansans to save and invest their tax refunds. The Tax-Time Savings Bond Program is one of many tools Congress can support to ease the path to saving for Americans of every income level.”
Without action, the Tax Time Savings Bond program is set to expire after the 2016 tax season. The SAVINGS Act would require the U.S. Treasury Department to continue to provide an option on the IRS tax form for consumers to use some or all of their tax return to purchase a U.S. Savings Bond in paper form, for either themselves or a designated recipient.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) issued the following statement regarding the death of Sergeant Joseph F. Stifter, 30, originally from Glendale, California, who died on January 28, 2016, in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. According to initial reports, Sergeant Stifter died of injuries sustained when his military vehicle overturned.
Sergeant Stifter was assigned to B Battery, 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas. Sergeant Stifter’s wife and daughter are part of the Big Red One Community.
“Sergeant Stifter bravely answered the call to serve our country, and we will forever be indebted to him for his service and sacrifice on our behalf,” Sen. Moran said. “My deepest sympathies go out to his family, and I ask all Kansans to join me in keeping his family and friends in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
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Sen. Moran Supports Terrence Campbell as Nominee for United States District Court for the District of Kansas
Jan 29 2016
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today signaled support for the nomination of Mr. Terrence Campbell of Lawrence, Kan., to fill a judicial vacancy in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas.
“Providing advice and consent for Presidential nominees is one of the most important roles of the United States Senate and a responsibility I take very seriously,” Sen. Moran said. “Mr. Campbell is a respected lawyer with high qualifications that make him a strong nominee to fill the vacant federal judgeship in the District of Kansas. I look forward to supporting his Senate confirmation.”
Campbell’s nomination was announced on Jan. 28, 2016. If approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and confirmed by the full Senate, Campbell will join the United States District Court for the District of Kansas with a lifetime appointment. The U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas is a federal trial court that processes civil and criminal cases that come under federal jurisdiction. The District of Kansas covers the entire state of Kansas.
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