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Senate Confirms Daniel Crabtree for United States District Court for the District of Kansas
Apr 30 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today the United States Senate confirmed Mr. Daniel Crabtree of Kansas City, Kan., to serve as a federal judge for the United States District Court for the District of Kansas.
"Providing advice and consent of Presidential nominees is one of the most important roles of the United States Senate and a responsibility I take seriously,” Sen. Moran said. “Mr. Crabtree’s integrity and extensive litigation experience in state and federal courts made for a smooth confirmation process and give me great confidence he will serve as an outstanding federal judge."
Daniel Crabtree was reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee without opposition and was rated unanimously well-qualified by the American Bar Association. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Law.
After today’s confirmation by the United States Senate, Crabtree 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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MANHATTAN, KAN. – Today, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) traveled to Baxter Springs, Kan. – which was hit by a tornado on Sunday, April 27, 2014 – to join local officials on a tour of some of the hardest hit areas and to receive an update on relief efforts.
“As I witnessed the destruction of homes, businesses and infrastructure in Baxter Springs today, it was no surprise that less than 24 hours after the destruction Kansans were already reaching out to help those in need,” Sen. Moran said. “My thoughts and prayers go out to residents and business owners who suffered great loss and devastation, and my sincere thanks goes out to all of the emergency management personnel who are responding to this disaster.”
A tornado nearly three blocks wide struck the community of Baxter Springs, Kan., resulting in at least 34 injuries along with major damage to more than 150 homes and 12 businesses. The tornado was part of a larger storm system on Sunday evening that also ravaged parts of Arkansas and Oklahoma resulting in at least nine deaths.
Cherokee County Sheriff David Groves took time to show Sen. Moran the hardest hit areas of the community. Sen. Moran was also appreciative of State Adjutant General, Major General Lee Tafanelli and Kansas Division of Emergency Management Deputy Director Angee Morgan for the timely, professional and compassionate way they and their teams are responding to this disaster.
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Roberts, Moran, Pompeo Applaud Air Force's Final Decision on Basing Tankers at McConnell AFB
Apr 22 2014
WICHITA—Senators Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran, along with Congressman Mike Pompeo, R-Kansas, applauded the Air Force’s announcement today of their final decision to base the new KC-46A tankers at McConnell Air Force Base following a lengthy environmental impact review.
Senator Moran said: “There is no longer any question – McConnell Air Force Base is and will continue to be the nation’s super tanker base. The upcoming arrival of the new KC-46A tanker fleet at McConnell translates into an economic boost for the community, which will endure for years to come as each phase of preparation is completed. I am grateful the efforts to ensure this outcome were successful and that the Air Force truly understands the value of air mobility assets in Kansas. I will continue to work with Air Force leadership to make certain the KC-46A delivery process runs as smoothly as possible.”
Senator Roberts said: “I am proud of the airmen at McConnell for earning this mission based on their excellent record of service. Once again, Kansas will be taking a leading role in protecting our national security by providing next generation capability in global reach. As the Air Capital of the World, Wichita is the perfect home for this new mission. The men and women who will operate and maintain the KC-46A at McConnell are part of a community of unwavering support for their critical mission and a deep understanding of the support their families and loved ones need back home.”
Congressman Pompeo said: “This is fantastic news for an outstanding facility staffed by even more outstanding airmen. McConnell Air Force Base is a major asset to keeping America safe, but it's also a community that demonstrates the very best of our Air Force. The decision to expand America's commitment to South Central Kansas will last decades, and I'm confident McConnell will excel in its renewed mission.”
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – a member of the Senate Banking Committee – is urging President Obama to fill at least one of the vacant seats on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors with an individual with community bank experience or community bank supervisory experience. Following the resignation notice last week from Federal Reserve Governor Jeremy Stein, Sen. Moran and several of his Banking Committee colleagues sent a letter to the president reiterating the importance of diversity of experience on the seven-member board, which helps set interest rates and banking regulations.
“The responsibilities of the Federal Reserve have grown immensely with the passage of the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, including revising and issuing dozens of regulations that affect nearly every aspect of large and small entities in the banking industry,” the Senators wrote. “It is critical that the Federal Reserve fully appreciate the rich and variegated nature of our financial system as it engages in transparent and timely rulemaking to promote a thriving, robust, and resilient financial system unencumbered by undue regulatory burdens.
“Nominating an individual with community banking or supervisory experience would ensure that future Federal Reserve actions and regulations are tailored and reflect a nuanced understanding of the regulatory and economic environment faced by community banks, and that the role that these institutions play in their communities and in our financial system is not diminished,” the Senators urged.
Community banks play a critical role in our nation’s economic recovery, serving rural, small town and suburban customers alike. Unfortunately, the regulatory, tax and paperwork requirements stemming from the passage of the Dodd-Frank Act and other legislation impose a disproportionate burden on these banks because they do not have the resources of larger financial institutions and the ability to effectively manage their legal and compliance costs. The expense of over-regulation diminishes the ability of community banks to attract capital and support the credit needs of their customers and local businesses.
Sen. Moran is a member of the Senate Banking Committee’s Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Protection. He is committed to highlighting and solving the challenges facing community banks in the current regulatory environment, and providing these financial institutions with relief.
Below, please find the full text of Sen. Moran’s letter to the president:
April 9, 2014
President Obama:
We write to respectfully request that the concerns of community bankers are taken into account when naming a replacement for Federal Reserve Governor Jeremy Stein, and that the nominee possess a background with community bank experience or community bank supervisory experience.
Community banks play a crucial role in underserved communities throughout the country: they are almost three times more likely than non-community banks to operate a banking office outside a metro area, and hold the majority of banking deposits in U.S. rural and micropolitan counties. Small financial institutions, such as community banks, are often the only way rural families and small businesses can access the saving and lending markets. Strong community banks were resilient during the financial crisis because they maintained conservative underwriting standards before the crisis and were more diversified in their loan portfolio – and consequently, were able to extend loans at a time of sharply lower lending due to their in-depth knowledge of their markets and their commitment to tailoring unique credit products for individual borrowers.
The responsibilities of the Federal Reserve have grown immensely with the passage of the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, including revising and issuing dozens of regulations that affect nearly every aspect of large and small entities in the banking industry. It is critical that the Federal Reserve fully appreciate the rich and variegated nature of our financial system as it engages in transparent and timely rulemaking to promote a thriving, robust, and resilient financial system unencumbered by undue regulatory burdens.
Nominating an individual with community banking or supervisory experience would ensure that future Federal Reserve actions and regulations are tailored and reflect a nuanced understanding of the regulatory and economic environment faced by community banks, and that the role that these institutions play in their communities and in our financial system is not diminished. The Federal Reserve has a duty to protect and promote growth within the American economy, and a diverse range of perspectives on the Board of Governors will help the Federal Reserve incorporate all viewpoints and ensure that community banks remain an important component of our financial services delivery system. All communities – from the largest metropolitan areas, to exurban cities, to rural villages – deserve safe, unburdened, and fair access to a sound financial system.
Thank you for your consideration of this request. We look forward to hearing from you.
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MANHATTAN, KAN. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) issued the following statement upon learning of the death of Former Rep. Donald (Don) Dahl of Hillsboro, Kan. Mr. Dahl was killed by injuries sustained after piloting an aircraft that crashed in Marion County today.
“I was disheartened to hear the news of Don Dahl’s passing this afternoon,” Sen. Moran said. “Don was a man of principle who served his country and returned home to improve his community and our state. I encourage all Kansans to join Robba and me in keeping his family in our thoughts and prayers during the days ahead.”
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MANHATTAN, KAN. – Today, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) released the following statement regarding the tragic violence in Johnson County, Kan.:
“I am shocked and sickened by the violence that occurred in Overland Park and Leawood today. Kansas is a place where every person of every kind should be safe from violence or persecution. My deepest regrets are with the victims’ loved ones and my thoughts are with the entire community, which has had its sense of comfort and safety threatened by today’s events. I join all Kansans in proclaiming that these horrific acts of violence have absolutely no place in our communities, our state or our country.”
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) released the following statement regarding U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius’ resignation:
“Even though Secretary Sebelius will be gone, every promise the President made about Obamacare – if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor; health care costs will be lowered; and if you like your health plan you can keep it – will remain broken. Changing the Secretary won’t change the problem – a disaster is still a disaster.”
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), author of unanimously-passed Senate resolution (S. Res. 609) which called on Cuba to immediately and unconditionally release American citizen Alan Gross, released the following statement today regarding the Washington Post announcement that Mr. Gross began a hunger strike:
“I am saddened to learn that detained American Alan Gross is now in a state of even greater suffering as he continues to be held unjustly by the Cuban government,” Sen. Moran said. “The United States government must continue to push Cuba for the release of Mr. Gross. His return is long overdue, and it is extremely disappointing that it requires life-threatening action to draw attention to his plight. We must do everything possible to return Alan to the United States and bring his family’s terrible nightmare to an end.”
WaPo: Alan Gross, U.S. contractor held in Cuba, goes on hunger strike
By Karen DeYoung,
Alan Gross, the U.S. government contractor who has been imprisoned in Cuba for more than four years, began a hunger strike last week to protest his treatment by both the Cuban and U.S. governments, his lawyer said Tuesday.
“I am fasting to object to mistruths, deceptions, and inaction by both governments, not only regarding their shared responsibility for my arbitrary detention, but also because of the lack of any reasonable or valid effort to resolve this shameful ordeal,” Gross said in a telephoned statement to his legal team.
As he has many times before, Gross called on President Obama to become personally involved in efforts to free him from “inhumane treatment” in a Cuban prison.
Gross was arrested in 2009 for distributing Internet and other communications materials in Cuba under a program funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. He was sentenced to 15 years for crimes against the Cuban state and is said to be in poor health.
His case moved back into the limelight last week following revelations about a separate USAID program to undermine Cuba’s communist government with a Twitter-like network designed to build an audience among Cuban youth and push them toward anti-government dissent. While unclassified, administration officials have described the program as “discreet.”
The “Cuban Twitter” program, called ZunZuneo before it was discontinued in 2012, caused an uproar among U.S. lawmakers who charged they had never approved spending for it. Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.), who heads the Appropriations subcommittee in charge of the USAID budget, called the program a “cockamamie” idea during a congressional hearing on Tuesday.
Others have praised the program, which they called a laudable effort to circumvent Cuban restrictions on Internet freedom. Such efforts help “provide uncensored access to information and communications for the Cuban people and others struggling around the globe against repression, censorship and the denial of basic human rights,” Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said in a statement.
Since 1996, Congress has appropriated more than $200 million for “democracy assistance” programs in Cuba. USAID has been given wide discretion in deciding what the money is used for. Most of the programs are subcontracted to firms such as Development Alternatives Inc., which received a $6 million contract, under which Gross was working.
On Tuesday, USAID Administration Rajiv Shah said the ZunZuneo program was lawful and part of the agency’s efforts to promote the free flow of information in the island nation.
In a statement, Gross’s attorney, Scott Gilbert, said the program had put Gross’s life in greater jeopardy. “Once Alan was arrested, it is shocking that USAID would imperil his safety even further by running a covert operation in Cuba,” Gilbert said. “USAID has made one absurdly bad decision after another. Running this program is contrary to everything we have been told by high-level representative of the Obama administration about USAID’s activities in Cuba.”
Gross, 64, a Maryland resident, has lost more than 110 pounds since his arrest and is held in a small cell with two other prisoners for 23 hours a day. His lawyers said Gross told them that the “Cuban Twitter” effort “was the final straw for him” and prompted his decision to go on a hunger strike.
Even as he has criticized the program that landed Gross in prison, Leahy has criticized what he and others have called the administration’s inattention to the case. In a November letter to Obama, Leahy spearheaded a letter signed by a bipartisan group of 66 senators urging the president to “act expeditiously to take whatever steps are in the national interest to obtain [Gross’s] release.”
A separate letter, signed by 14 lawmakers led by Cuban American Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Menendez, exhorted Obama to continue his policy of demanding Gross’s “immediate and unconditional release.”
