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Sen. Moran Introduces Justice Moritz as Nominee for the Tenth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Nov 13 2013
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) introduced the Honorable Nancy Moritz during the U.S. Senate Judiciary Hearing as the nominee to the Tenth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
“Justice Moritz comes before the committee highly qualified and greatly prepared as the result of a distinguished legal career both in private and public practice,” Sen. Moran said. “Nancy was raised in the small Kansas town of Tipton. I know the people of Tipton well; I have witnessed their character, kindness, work ethic, and a genuine concern for others. I am confident this sense of community has been instilled in our nominee and that her service on the Tenth Circuit will be guided by the values we hold dear in Kansas, including empathy for others and respect for the rule of law.”
If approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and passed by the full Senate, Moritz will join the Tenth Circuit with a lifetime appointment. The Denver-based Tenth Circuit Court reviews cases from Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Utah and Wyoming.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) issued the following statement to honor two fallen Kansas Army National Guard soldiers who will be inducted into the Defense Intelligence Agency Patriots Memorial today for their service to our nation. Army Sergeant Don A. Clary of Troy, Kan., and Sergeant First Class Clinton “Clint” L. Wisdom of Atchison, Kan., were killed during Operation Iraqi Freedom on Nov. 8, 2004. They were the first Kansas Army National Guard soldiers to die in combat since the Vietnam War.
“As we pay tribute to Sergeant Clary and Sergeant First Class Wisdom today, we’re reminded that freedom is not free,” Sen. Moran said. “Americans will be forever indebted to these Kansas Army National Guard soldiers who laid down their lives for our country. I ask all Kansans to join me in expressing our heartfelt gratitude, and remembering their families and friends in our thoughts and prayers.”
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG), along with a bipartisan group of senators called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to do more to encourage rural telecommunications companies to upgrade telecommunications services in Kansas and across the country.
The bipartisan coalition of senators called on the FCC to make changes to its 2011 Universal Service Fund (USF) reform to increase accessibility for consumers in rural areas. USF supports new investments by telecom carriers in hard-to-reach areas, but the recent reforms left the amount of support that telecom companies receive too unpredictable, discouraging some carriers from making needed investments in rural parts of the country.
Moran and 25 senators asked new FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to improve predictability of the USF, which would allow telecom carriers to more confidently invest in affordable broadband across rural Kansas.
“We remain concerned the reform order is limiting the ability of small carriers to provide rural consumers with the broadband service they need to compete in today’s global economy,” Sen. Moran and the senators wrote. “We urge the Commission to take immediate steps to re-establish predictability, sufficiency and transparency in the USF program so that these small businesses can resume critical investments in rural broadband.”
The bipartisan letter was cosigned by John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.), Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Michael Enzi (R-Nev.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Senators Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.).
In September during a FSGG Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing, Sen. Moran also had an opportunity to question then Acting FCC Chairwoman Mignon Clyburn and Commissioners Jessica Rosenworcel and Ajit Pai about the FCC’s 2011 USF reform effort. Click here to watch excerpts from the hearing.
Sen. Moran’s letter to Chairman Wheeler reads:
Dear Chairman Wheeler:
We commend the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for recently making changes to its 2011 Universal Service Fund (USF) reform order to begin the immediate deployment of broadband to rural areas served by price cap companies. Additionally, we appreciate the FCC’s decision to temporarily relieve the impacts of Quantile Regression Analysis (QRA) on small rate-of-return carriers. However, we remain concerned the reform order is limiting the ability of small rate-of-return carriers to provide rural consumers with the broadband service they need to compete in today’s global economy.
The 2011 USF reform order’s lack of predictability is resulting in declining private sector investment in hard-to-reach rural areas, which threatens the long-standing requirements that consumers in rural and high cost areas should have access to telecommunications and information services that are reasonably comparable to those services provided in urban areas. We urge the Commission to take immediate steps to re-establish predictability, sufficiency and transparency in the USF program so that these small businesses can resume critical investments in rural broadband. At the same time, we believe this process should neither upset nor slow implementation of Phase II of the Connect America Fund for consumers in areas served by larger carriers.
The Universal Service Fund provides small rate-of-return regulated telecom carriers with support to keep consumer rates affordable in high cost areas. These small companies use a limited number of public and private loan programs to make long-term capital investments to expand the reach and effectiveness of broadband in hard-to-serve rural areas. Both potential borrowers and lenders have indicated hesitation in moving forward with loans for broadband infrastructure improvements due to the uncertainties created by the reform order.
One of the main causes of uncertainty is the reform order’s “Quantile Regression Analysis” (QRA) approach to providing high-cost support for rural companies. A recent analysis by former FCC Chief Economist Simon Wilkie underscores this uncertainty, noting that the QRA caps and redistributes USF support in arbitrary and unpredictable ways, fails to provide incentives for broadband deployment, and generates regulatory uncertainty that is discouraging investment. While we appreciate the FCC’s recent steps to temporarily relieve the impacts of the QRA approach, more must be done to resolve the lingering uncertainty it creates.
The benefits to health, education and economic development from robust broadband infrastructure will be delayed or denied for many rural Americans unless the Commission finds a way to re-establish predictability and transparency in the USF program through re-examination of the QRA approach and other common-sense steps that enable rural carriers to respond to consumer demand for broadband. We appreciate your attention to this matter, and we look forward to your response.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) joined Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) in introducing S. 1617, the If You Like Your Health Plan, You Can Keep It Act – legislation to follow through on President Obama’s broken promise: “If you like your health care plan, you can keep your health care plan. Period.” This bill would make the grandfathered health plans under Obamacare less restrictive and provide flexibility for individuals to keep the plans they already have.
“At least 29 times, President Obama promised Americans that if you like the insurance you have, you could keep it under Obamacare,” said Sen. Moran. “Despite the President’s repeated promises, the fact is that thousands of individuals and families across Kansas are among the millions of Americans who have had their health plans cancelled because they do not meet the law’s requirements. Americans should be in control of their own health care and should be free to choose the plans they want. This legislation would force the President and congressional Democrats to live up to the promise they made to Americans, even if they do not want to honor it.”
The Washington Post’s “Fact Checker” gave President Obama’s pledge that “no one will take away” your health plan a “Four Pinocchios” rating – its highest classification of fallacy. The unfortunate reality is many more Americans have lost their health insurance than have enrolled in coverage under Obamacare. Young Americans and middle-class families are facing significant premium increases they cannot afford, and workers are seeing their hours reduced and their paychecks cut because of the mandates of the law.
Sen. Moran strongly opposes Obamacare and believes the best course of action is to dismantle the law and replace it with practical reforms that are workable and will actually reduce health care costs. In July, President Obama acknowledged that a significant component of Obamacare is broken and delayed enforcement of the employer mandate. The following week, Sen. Moran offered amendments in the Senate Appropriations Committee to delay both the employer mandate and individual mandate. Unfortunately, both amendments were defeated in party-line votes.
Additionally, Sen. Moran is an original cosponsor of the “Delay Until Fully Functional Act,” legislation introduced by Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) that would delay Obamacare’s individual mandate until it can be certified that the law’s website and health insurance Exchanges are functional. It is blatantly unfair for the federal government to punish individuals for not doing something the government is requiring them to do when the Administration’s incompetence has made it impossible for them to comply. Sen. Moran believes the entire law should be repealed and replaced, but until that happens American individuals and families must be protected from the disasters created by Obamacare.
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Sen. Jerry Moran Statement on Death of U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Forrest W. Robertson
Nov 04 2013
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) issued the following statement today on the loss of U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Forrest W. Robertson, 35, of Westmoreland, Kan., who died on Nov. 3, 2013, in Logar Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. According to initial reports, Sergeant First Class Robertson died of injuries sustained when his dismounted patrol received rocket-propelled grenade and small arms fire. He was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga. His family resides in Hinesville, Ga, and his mother resides in Westmoreland, Kan.
“America is forever indebted to Sergeant First Class Forrest Robertson, whose service and sacrifice in defense of his country is immeasurable,” Sen. Moran said. “My deepest sympathies go out to his wife, children and family, and I ask all Kansans to join me in remembering his family and friends in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
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Sen. Moran Joins Bipartisan Group of Senators to Extend Emergency Care Coverage for Veterans
Nov 01 2013
Letter: Senator Moran Demands Details of Unwarranted Searches of General Aviation Aircraft
Oct 30 2013
Sen. Moran is now accepting applications for the spring semester. Completed applications must include a resume, cover letter, academic transcript and two letters of recommendation, and all parts must be submitted for consideration by November 1, 2013. Please visit the internship page on my website to apply or email internships@moran.senate.gov if you have any questions.
Sens. Moran and Brown Introduce Bill to Enhance Economic Mobility Via Prize-Linked Savings
Oct 29 2013
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), members of the Senate Economic Mobility Caucus, introduced the American Savings Promotion Act – legislation to allow the creation of prize-linked savings accounts (PLS). At a time when the annual savings rate in the United States is just 4.1 percent, PLS accounts would incentivize personal savings by offering participants chances to win prizes based on savings account deposit activity while never putting their savings at risk.
"Prize-linked accounts are proven to increase savings-rates, which empower individuals to better endure financial strain and climb the economic ladder,"Sen. Moran said. "By encouraging personal saving, PLS accounts keep money in the hands of families who need it most. While this innovative tool would offer the chance of big winnings, its real value is the promise of increased financial security for all Americans."
"The American Savings Promotion Act is an exciting and innovative way for American families to begin building a secure financial future,"Sen. Brown said. "Too many families in Ohio and across the nation are living paycheck-to-paycheck. Rewarding Ohio families for saving will help them begin building long-term financial security and a cushion for hard times. This is a common-sense approach to promoting savings and I am proud to work with Sen. Moran to get this passed."
Prize-linked saving has been identified as an attractive way to incentivize saving by a broad range academics and financial policy professionals:
- In a 2011 Financial Times op-ed, former Obama OMB Director Peter Orszag advocated for PLS: “In the coming decade, we need a comprehensive effort to raise household savings. As part of that push, let’s give savings accounts linked to lotteries a chance.”
- Stuart Butler of the Heritage Foundation and author of Boosting Economic Savings Through Prize-Linked Savings: “The dearth of savings in America, particularly among lower-income Americans, is a major obstacle to upward mobility and achieving the American Dream. The creative idea of prize-linked savings has proved to be very successful in boosting savings, but red tape blocks federally chartered financial institutions from offering these pro-savings products.”
- Tim Flacke, Executive Director of D2D Fund: “Based on our last five years of work on prize-linked savings, we believe this is a proven and promising innovation to help engage Americans to save. We applaud the leadership of Senators Moran and Brown to help expand PLS through this bill so that more Americans can experience a fun and successful way to save.”
The Pew Foundation’s Economic Mobility Project found that 71 percent of children born to high-saving but low-income parents emerge from the bottom income quintile in one generation, compared to only 50 percent of children from non-saving low-income households. While more than 40 percent of American households lack the savings to cover basic expenses for 3 months, Americans spend nearly $61 billion on lottery tickets each year.
PLS products have great promise, but a broadly-written 1960s law banning banks from operating lotteries unintentionally precludes banks and thrifts from offering PLS products. More than half a dozen states have changed applicable state laws to allow credit unions within their borders to offer PLS products, but federal law limits the expansion of this savings-enhancing tool to other financial institutions.
The American Savings Promotion Act would promote savings by creating a narrow exemption for PLS products while maintaining the ban on federally-insured financial institutions from operating lotteries. By removing federal barriers to banks and thrifts offering PLS products, the American Savings Promotion Act clears the way for states to enable all interested financial institutions in their jurisdiction to offer PLS products.
Companion legislation is being introduced today in the House of Representatives by Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) and Rep. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.)
Click below to read a one-page summary of the American Savings Promotion Act.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) joined U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) in introducing the “Delay Until Fully Functional Act”, a bill delaying the individual mandate under Obamacare until six months after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) certifies that the Exchange website is fully functional. Companion legislation was introduced by U.S. Representative Trey Radel (R-Fla.) in the House.
"It is unfair for the federal government to punish individuals for not doing something the government is requiring them to do when the Administration’s incompetence has made it impossible for them to comply," Sen. Moran said. "I believe the entire law should be repealed and replaced, but until that becomes possible Kansas individuals and families must be protected from the disasters created by Obamacare."
The “Delay Until Fully Functional Act” would delay the Obamacare individual mandate and require that GAO – the independent, nonpartisan agency known as the "congressional watchdog”"– study and report to Congress on the Obamacare website and its health insurance Exchanges within 30 days. If the GAO study says these Exchanges are not fully functional, GAO will do subsequent studies and reports every 60 days until the Comptroller General determines that the Exchanges are fully functional.
The legislation has been endorsed by FreedomWorks, Americans for Prosperity, Americans for Tax Reform and the National Taxpayers Union. The full text of the Senate bill is available here.
In July, President Obama acknowledged that a significant component of Obamacare is broken and delayed enforcement of the employer mandate. The following week, Sen. Moran offered amendments in the Senate Appropriations Committee to delay both the employer mandate and individual mandate. Unfortunately, both amendments were defeated in party-line votes.
As Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, last week Sen. Moran called on Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius to answer questions about the true cost of implementing the Obamacare health insurance Exchanges. 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 the ACA website, healthcare.gov.
Over the past year, $1.7 billion in taxpayer funds have been used by HHS for Exchange implementation. This funding came exclusively from HHS’ internal transfer of funds to the Exchanges – a decision that avoided Congressional approval. Sen. Moran believes the Obama Administration must account for exactly how much money has been spent on developing and implementing healthcare.gov, whether HHS intends to recover payments made to the contractors responsible for the website’s enormous failings, what specific testing was done before the launch, and the timeline and detailed cost breakdown for fixing the problems. He also asked HHS for details of its contingency plans if the technical issues with the Exchanges cannot be fixed in a timely fashion. Click here to read Sen. Moran’s letter to HHS Secretary Sebelius.
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