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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a Senate Appropriations Committee Member, on Thursday questioned U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx about the future of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Control Tower Program. Sec. Foxx expressed his interest in keeping rural communities connected to a 21st century economy, and confirmed the contract towers are included in the president’s FY2015 budget.
Highlights from the hearing may be found below, along with links to video downloads.
(0:03) Sen. Moran: “…I think that the contract tower program is one of our most cost-effective programs, and as you would have noticed in the last year or so this Congress has demonstrated significant bipartisan support for that program. My question is what does the President’s budget, as well as what are your personal thoughts about the program? Do you appreciate and value its efficacy and…support its continued operation? And does the President’s budget reflect that as a priority?”
(0:39) Sec. Foxx: “…The FY2015 budget does include funding to continue to operate the contact tower program...we’re maintaining contract towers, sir.”
(1:42) Sen. Moran: “…And you, Mr. Secretary, are familiar enough with the program to have a feel for its value?”
(1:50) Sec. Foxx: “In general, I have a very deep and abiding interest in making sure communities across America are connected to the 21st century economy. And being connected to the national air space is part of that connection. So…you won’t have any hesitation from me to try to do everything I can to make sure communities across America are continuing to be connected.”
(2:16) Sen. Moran: “I appreciate that…sometimes I think when I ask questions about general aviation it’s thought of as Senator Moran is from Kansas it’s a place that we manufacture lots of general aviation aircraft — clearly true and I have a great regard for that aspect of general aviation. But I sometimes think it’s forgotten that rural America has a great interest — a lot at stake — in whether or not our smaller community airports have the ability…to access to a global economy...
(3:10) Sen. Moran: “Our ability to have…air traffic control towers…really does determine whether or not a smaller town has a bright future economically, medically, socially, and so I appreciate the comments you just made.”
FTP LINK: Click here to download his floor speech. (Save to your desktop.)
YOUTUBE: Click here to watch his remarks on YouTube.
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Sen. Moran Sponsors FAIR Act to Provide Fairness and Relief for All Americans Under Obamacare
Mar 13 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) has co-sponsored S. 2106, the Freeing Americans from Inequitable Requirements (FAIR) Act, legislation introduced by Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) to require the administration to exercise basic fairness when implementing Obamacare. Specifically, the FAIR Act provides relief under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for all individuals and families by delaying enforcement of the law’s individual mandate penalty whenever the White House delays the employer mandate.
"While the administration has twice moved unilaterally to provide businesses temporary relief from the ACA in an election season, President Obama continues to disregard the problems this law is causing for individuals and families,” Sen. Moran said. “This treatment is grossly unfair for the millions of Americans facing the burden of increased health insurance costs in addition to the ACA’s new individual mandate tax. I believe the entire law should be repealed to protect individuals, families and businesses from the disasters created by Obamacare. In the meantime, the FAIR Act makes certain individuals and families are offered the same relief already granted to businesses."
Over the past year, the Obama Administration has unilaterally delayed or modified the ACA more than 20 times. On July 2, 2013, the administration delayed until 2015 the requirement that employers with at least 50 full-time employees provide health coverage for their full-time workers or risk paying a penalty. On February 10, 2014, the administration again delayed the employer mandate until 2016 for employers who have between 50 and 99 full-time employees.
Sen. Moran Sponsors Legislation to Prohibit Federal Participation in Gun Owner Data Collection
Mar 13 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), along with U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and 10 of their Senate colleagues, introduced the Gun-Owner Registration Information Protect (GRIP) Act. The legislation would prohibit federal funding from being used to support a gun registry maintained by any other organization, including state and local governments.
“The U.S. Constitution guarantees the ‘right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed,’ but a national firearm database would threaten that fundamental right,” Sen. Moran said. “The GRIP Act makes certain Kansans’ freedoms are not infringed upon simply because they own firearms. While much needs to be done to prevent violent crime in our nation, auditing responsible, law-abiding firearms owners is not the answer. I will continue to support the freedoms of Americans and oppose any legislation before Congress that violates Americans’ Second Amendment Rights.”
The GRIP Act would clarify existing law that bars the federal government from storing information acquired during the firearms background check process. It would extend that prohibition to prevent any federal funding from being used to contribute to nonfederal gun registries.
In addressing state and local gun registry programs, the expanded federal prohibition in the GRIP Act would ensure that states and local entities that benefit from federal grant programs, such as the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program, do not use that funding to create or support full or partial registries of firearms information. The legislation does not include any limitations related to state recordkeeping for permitting, law enforcement-issued firearms, or lost or stolen firearms.
The GRIP Act is endorsed by the National Rifle Association.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, again called on U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to answer questions about the true costs of implementing Obamacare.
Congress asked the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to include in its 2015 budget request details about Obamacare funding, including specifics on the amount spent on the health insurance Exchange. Last week, CMS released a less-than-transparent congressional justification. Sen. Moran believes it provided incomplete and ambiguous figures that do not illustrate the entire funding picture, while ignoring Congress’ intent under the request. Congress asked CMS to provide details on both Obamacare funding sources and activities, and the response failed to include any information on how Obamacare funds are being used.
Sen. Moran is committed to making certain the Obama Administration is held accountable for its use of taxpayer dollars, especially considering the systemic problems plaguing Obamacare implementation. He asked Sec. Sebelius for a response by April 2, 2014.
Sen. Moran’s letter to Sec. Sebelius reads:
March 13, 2014
The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius
Secretary
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20201
Dear Secretary Sebelius:
I am writing to follow-up on information provided in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 congressional justification regarding funding for the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Language was included in both the FY2014 Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Report and the FY2014 Omnibus Appropriations Statement of Managers asking for specific funding details on the Health Insurance Marketplace established under the ACA. In response to this request by the Senate and House Appropriations Committees, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provided only sources of funding for the ACA, as opposed to both sources and uses of such funds. While I understand the Department might believe this information addresses the requirement set forth in the report language, it does not. CMS’ response is only a fraction of what the Committee requested.
Section 224 of the FY2014 Omnibus Statement of Managers states:
SEC. 224. The Secretary shall publish, as part of the fiscal year 2015 budget of the President submitted under section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, information that details the uses of all funds used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services specifically for Health Insurance Marketplaces for each fiscal year since the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public Law 111–148) and the proposed uses for such funds for fiscal year 2015. Such information shall include, for each such fiscal year—
(1) the section(s) of such Act under which such funds were appropriated or used;
(2) the program, project, or activity for which such funds were used;
(3) the amount of funds that were used for the Health Insurance Marketplaces within each such program, project, or activity; and
(4) the milestones completed for data hub functionality and implementation readiness.
The language is explicit regarding the type of information requested and it is clear CMS’ response failed to answer sections 2 and 3 of Section 224. Specifically, the response does not detail the amount and how the money was spent – on which programs, projects, and activities funding was used. Simply put, CMS provided a vague response that does not illustrate the entire funding picture and ignores Congress’ intent under the request.
Once again, the Administration is refusing to disclose to the American taxpayer how much money is being spent on the ACA. And when asked by Congress to provide this information, the Department again chose to provide evasive and ambiguous figures that do not answer the crux of the request. The Department needs to be transparent in its funding decisions and held accountable for those decisions.
Therefore, to better understand the cost and scope of Marketplace activities, please address the three fundamental questions regarding uncertainties about the ACA’s Health Insurance Marketplace:
- Why did CMS not include the requested information under Section 224 (2) and (3) regarding the amount and the specific program, project, or activity for which funds were used?
- How much funding was used for the Health Insurance Marketplaces within each program, project, or activity? For example, this should include information on enrollment activities, IT contracts, funds transferred to other Departments to support ACA-related activities, or staffing costs.
- Why were all the sources of ACA implementation funding not included? For example, $208 million from Community Health Centers was used for enrollment activities and was not included in the Department’s disclosure.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I would appreciate a response prior to your testimony at our FY2015 budget hearing on April 2, 2014.
Sincerely,
Jerry Moran
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bill Gates, co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, visited with U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) on Wednesday to discuss initiatives to address poor health and extreme poverty in developing countries, including the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. During the meeting, he thanked Sen. Moran for his leadership in supporting eradicating polio as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. As Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies, Sen. Moran supported funding for the world-wide eradication of polio in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 Omnibus appropriations bill.
"I commend Bill Gates for his foundation’s leadership in eradicating polio across the globe, and share his strong commitment to ridding the world of this terrible disease,” Sen. Moran said. “Along with my Senate and House colleagues, we made this commitment clear with the inclusion of $146 million for polio eradication in the 2014 Omnibus, which passed both houses of Congress and was signed into law in January. With 99 percent of the work complete – and only a handful of countries in the world still facing endemic polio – now the time to stay focused. With continued commitment and determination from groups like the Gates Foundation and Rotary international, together we can put an end to this cruel disease."
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative’s Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013–2018 lays out a blueprint for eradicating polio in the last three polio-endemic countries – Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan – and certification of a polio-free world by 2018.
In addition to eradication polio, Sen. Moran has worked with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as a co-chair of the Senate Hunger Caucus. The Foundation works to support agricultural development as a means of fighting hunger in developing countries.
Please find attached a photo of Senator Moran with Bill Gates in the Senator’s Washington, D.C. office.
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Sens. Roberts and Moran Introduce Legislation to Support Small Aircraft Pilots, Urge FAA to Act
Mar 11 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today, along with U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-Ark.), introduced the General Aviation Pilot Protection Act, which requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reform general aviation medical standards to maintain safety while supporting capable pilots and sustaining economic growth in the industry.
“Expanding this common sense exemption to other GA aircraft operating for recreational purposes makes sense from both a practical and safety standpoint,” Sen. Roberts said. “The FAA has had two years to review this request for an exemption. Let’s get this thing moving.”
“For many communities in Kansas, and other rural areas of the country, general aviation pilots are the only reliable access to the outside world,” Sen. Moran said. “These pilots are also integral to agriculture, forestry, disaster relief, rescue and medical evacuation operations, and countless other fields. Six thousand pilots are already leaving the general aviation industry every year – the FAA should not be making it any more difficult for capable pilots to stay. The General Aviation Pilot Protection Act will help the FAA retain and attract pilots to this vital industry, while preserving important standards of safety in our nation’s skies.”
Current law requires pilots flying certain aircraft to have a third class medical certificate. Over the last decade, 60,000 pilots left the industry, many due to the costly and time consuming process of obtaining a third class medical certificate. This bill builds on the success of FAA’s Sport Pilot rule that was adopted in 2004 and allows pilots to fly many types of small, light aircraft without a third class medical certificate, but requires that all pilots undergo a flight review by a certified flight instructor every two years. During these biennial flight reviews, instructors will continue to evaluate each pilot’s physical and cognitive condition, as well as his or her ability to safely operate an aircraft. Small aircraft pilots would be required to maintain a valid driver’s license.
This legislation is supported by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). Similar legislation, H.R. 3708, was introduced in the House by Rep. Todd Rokita (R-Ind.).
“On behalf of our hundreds of thousands of AOPA members, we thank Sens. Boozman, Roberts, and Moran for introducing this legislation which will do so much to support general aviation and keep pilots in the air,” AOPA President Mark Baker said. “By making it easier and more affordable to start flying and keep flying, this measure addresses the number one concern of our members.”
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senators representing the Kansas City Animal Health corridor, Pat Roberts (R-KS), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) announced that late last night, the Senate approved a resolution to recognize the importance of biosecurity and agro-defense to America’s national and economic security.
“The hardworking folks in America’s heartland understand that the protection of our region’s leading industry, agriculture, and of our nation’s food supply is of the highest importance,” Roberts said. “This resolution reminds our colleagues in Washington that addressing the critical vulnerabilities to our food supply and the agriculture economy must also be their top priority. Completion of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) is critical to the nation and to our states.”
“NBAF will protect our national economy by researching foreign animal disease threats, which have very real impacts,” Moran said. “It is critical that construction begins immediately to safeguard against these threats and the devastation they would cause. The cost of an outbreak far outweighs the cost of construction, not only in the loss of human life but also its damage to the animal and agricultural industry. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue working to make certain NBAF remains a top priority for the Department of Homeland Security, the Administration and among Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle.”
“This resolution recognizes just how important biosecurity is to our country’s safety, and to the agriculture economy across the United States,” McCaskill said. “Strengthening our biosecurity starts with the completion of the facility in Manhattan, Kansas and continues with the further development of the Animal Health Corridor in the Kansas City region. I’ll continue to work with my colleagues to ensure we accomplish these goals.”
“Further development of the Animal Health Corridor in the Kansas City region is the next step in bolstering our nation’s biosecurity and agro-defense,” said Blunt. “Farm families in Missouri and nationwide understand the severity that these devastating attacks could have on our food supply, the agriculture industry, and our national security. I’m pleased this resolution was approved by the Senate, and I will continue to advocate for further development of the Animal Health Corridor as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.”
Text of the Resolution:
Recognizing the importance of biosecurity and agrodefense in the United States
Whereas following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the United States took notice of the global threat of terrorism;
Whereas the new reality after the attacks of September 11, 2011, led to an increase of resources focused on combatting attack from the enemies of the United States;
Whereas Congress established the Department of Homeland Security in 2002 with the intent of meeting the challenges plaguing the United States;
Whereas the attacks made visible the vulnerability of our food supply and agriculture economy;
Whereas the President of the United States issued a Homeland Security Directive entitled the “Defense of United States Agriculture and Food” on January 30, 2004;
Whereas the Department of Homeland Security, in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, recognized the challenges of agroterrorism early on;
Whereas the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism assessed in the 2008 report entitled “World At Risk”, “the U.S. government has invested most of its nonproliferation efforts and diplomatic capital in preventing nuclear terrorism. The Commission believes that it should make the more likely threat – bioterrorism – a higher priority. Only by elevating the priority of the biological weapons threat will it be possible to bring about substantial improvements in global biosecurity”;
Whereas the threat of attack from the enemies of the United States continues and there is much remaining work; and
Whereas the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility inaugurated construction on May 28, 2013;
Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that
While the United States continues to combat terrorism in all forms around the world, the safety, security, and health of our livestock and agriculture commodities must not be forgotten;
Research and investment in biosecurity and biosafety should be supported by Congress;
Providing the resources, both intellectually and materially, for the advancement of vaccines and hopeful eradication of deadly pathogens and emerging zoonotic disease in an integral part of providing homeland defense;
Without the tools necessary to protect the people, agriculture economy, and food supply of the United States, the United States remains vulnerable to attack and chaos;
The world depends on the food and fiber that the United States produces;
The world depends on the leadership of the United States in science and technology;
The United States must remain the leader in the fight against bioterrorism; and
Biosecurity and agrodefense are achievable goals for the United States in the global war on terrorism.
Sen. Moran and VA Backlog Working Group Tackle Veterans' Claims Backlog
Introduced the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act – comprehensive legislation designed to reduce the backlog of veterans' disability claims
Mar 06 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and co-chair of the VA Backlog Working Group, today joined Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) and other members of the Working Group to introduce the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act – comprehensive legislation designed to reduce the backlog of veterans’ disability claims. The Senators also released the VA Backlog Working Group March 2014 Report in which the Working Group analyzes the many factors that contribute to the claims backlog and offers recommendations to reform the claims process.
“I continue to hear horror stories from Kansans and Veteran Service Organizations about the VA claims process—from systemic issues with the back-and-forth of how claims are handled, to the absurd 9-to-18 month waiting game,” Sen. Moran said. “We know our veterans deserve better; they deserve the best our nation has to offer. I’m proud to be a part of the VA Claims Backlog Working Group, a thoughtful effort to take clear and decisive action. The common-sense solutions we offer in the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act are overwhelmingly supported by Veteran Service Organizations, who know this issue inside and out. The Senate now has a set of concrete solutions that deserves a vote and that the VA should adopt to make real and meaningful change."
The 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act includes proposals to reform three areas: the benefits claims submission process; the practices of regional offices; and government response to backlogs. The report and legislation were embraced by several Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs), including The American Legion, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA). These organizations have provided the Working Group with invaluable input. Additionally, the American Federation of Government Employees offered its support to the VA Backlog Working Group and the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act.
The VA Backlog Working Group provides a forum for lawmakers, veterans and VSOs to tackle the disability claim backlog. The March 2014 Report is a product of input from these groups, and provides a broad guideline for areas of improvement that can help shape a more efficient system.
Details of the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act:
Whereas the VA Backlog Working Group March 2014 Report identifies problems in current processes, the 21st Century Veterans Benefits Delivery Act aims to provide a comprehensive solution. The bill is divided into three sections:
Title I – Benefits Claims Submission. This section is designed to encourage, assist and educate veterans on the benefits of submitting a completed claim, when possible, as well as reinforce the services available to help a veteran complete a claim.
- Includes proposals to improve veterans’ access to information about the claims process;
- Provides Veterans Service Organizations and veterans’ preferred secondary contact with better access to information; and
- Authorizes monetary benefits to incentivize developed claims submission.
Title II - Reforming Practices of Regional Offices. Personnel and management must be given tools to perform efficiently. This section requires the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) to make structural changes that increase accuracy and efficiency at the regional office level in the following ways:
- Calls for audit of regional offices of the Veterans Benefits Administration;
- Ensures improved accountability and oversight of VARO management;
- Provides resources to VBA employees and implements changes in process that allows VBA employees to move claims through the electronic benefits awards structure more efficiently; and
- Improves transparency to the public on the size and scope of the current backlog.
Title III - Government Response. This section holds the government accountable and helps to ensure the claims process is a priority.
- Demands greater cooperation from federal agencies to transfer requested information; and
- Presses VBA employees to process information it receives from these agencies in a timely fashion.
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Kansas Delegation Announces: NBAF Included in President's 2015 Budget; $300 Million to Advance Construction
Mar 04 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Kansas Congressional Delegation today announced the President’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2015 designates $300 million to further advance construction on the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kan. The move by the Administration signals clear support for completion of the project as a national security priority.
The entire delegation and the NBAF Task Force will continue efforts to secure this funding through the appropriations process. If appropriated, these funds would complete the federal investment and would allow the project to be finished on budget.
“The administration and the Department of Homeland Security made it clear that they share our commitment to building NBAF and creating a research epicenter in Kansas by including a $300 million DHS appropriations request in their Fiscal Year 2015 budget,” the delegation said. “This gives Congress a blueprint to provide the final portion of funding to advance construction of the modern, world-class NBAF facility so it can protect the national security of the United States. We will continue to work to make certain NBAF remains a top priority for Congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle as we work to secure the final portion of funding for construction of NBAF during the appropriations process.”
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, the U.S. Senate passed bipartisan legislation offered by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) that will reauthorize the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS). NIDIS provides vital drought information to farmers, ranchers and other industries affected by weather conditions.
“During a time when producers are still grappling with the devastating effects of drought, the passage of this legislation provides them with much-needed certainty,” Sen. Moran said. “The reauthorization of this program will aid farmers and ranchers, and enable agricultural operations to continue across our state.”
Government agencies have worked to develop a long-term plan for drought prevention, research and education since the NIDIS Act was signed into law in 2006. The legislation extends the program for five years and supports an interactive “early warning system” of timely and accurate drought information, as well as an integrated weather monitoring and forecasting system. The NIDIS Reauthorization Act of 2013 is the companion bill to the Drought Information Act, which was introduced in February 2013.
The bill now heads to the president for his signature. The legislation was sponsored by U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and Mark Udall (D-Colo.).
