WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today, during a scheduled break in the Senate impeachment trial, met with students from Kapaun Mt. Carmel High School in Wichita participating in the 47th March for Life in Washington, D.C.   

“Every year, Kansans travel to Washington, D.C. to march for the protection of the unborn, and every year, I’m reminded by their actions that this is a fight we will never stop waging,” said Sen. Moran. “It is an inspiration for me to visit with these marchers, especially young Kansans, who are supporting a cause that is greater than themselves. I want to thank the Kansans, and all the people who came out today, for marching for the unborn and speaking out for those who cannot speak for themselves.”

 WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) released a letter they sent to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) calling for a continuation of the delay in the implementation of changes to the national liver distribution policy until the conclusion of ongoing litigation. Moran and Blunt have led efforts against the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) move to change the liver allocation policy, which would negatively impact patients awaiting transplants in Midwestern states, including Missouri and Kansas.

“As much as 40 percent of the country, perhaps more, will be harmed by this policy that will result in prolonged waitlist periods, increased costs, and system inefficiencies,” wrote the senators. “Given the certainty that this policy is going to trial in the near future, we believe it is in the best interest of patients and the transplant system as a whole to avoid the stop-and-start of the questionable liver redistribution policy until the matter is resolved before the courts.”

Moran and Blunt previously sent two letters to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, in December 2018 and January 2019, raising concerns over the policy change. In both letters, the senators noted that OPTN’s decision ignores the recommendations of the Liver and Intestine Transplantation Committee, whose members include some of the nation’s leading transplant experts. In a Kansas City Star op-ed, the senators further noted that “the practical effect of the new policy will be to redistribute livers from states and regions with high rates of organ donation to areas that have historically underperformed.”

In May 2019, Moran and Blunt asked HHS to delay changes to the liver distribution policy pending additional information they’ve requested from the Comptroller General of the United States. The senators have asked for a full review of both OPTN’s policy-making process and HHS’ oversight of the program.

Click here to read the full letter.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today released the following statement regarding the layoffs announced at Spirit AeroSystems:

“Wichita would not be the Air Capital of the World without the extraordinary engineers, designers and manufacturers who have invested in our aviation industry and made Wichita their home. The layoffs announced today at Spirit AeroSystems have dealt a harsh blow not only to the company but also to Spirit suppliers and subcontractors. This week, I had conversations with both the incoming CEO at Boeing and the FAA Administrator to encourage them to work together and do everything necessary to get the 737 MAX safely back in the air. I will work with business leaders and Administration officials to do everything possible to see that this is a short-term impact to the aviation and aerospace industry in Wichita.

“In addition, I have spoken directly with President Trump and Vice President Pence regarding the impact the layoffs will have in Kansas and throughout the aviation and aerospace industry. I plan to continue working with the Administration and Department of Defense to showcase the capabilities of Wichita manufacturers in an effort to diversify the industry and bring more job opportunities to the region.” 

Items to Note:

• Sen. Moran recently spoke with President Trump and Vice President Pence regarding Boeing’s decision to halt production of the 737 MAX and new Department of Defense opportunities for the Wichita aviation and aerospace industry. Read more about the discussion, here.
• Yesterday, Sen. Moran met with the CEO of Cox Machine, Inc. another Wichita supplier for the Boeing 737 MAX to learn how they are impacted by Boeing’s decision to halt production of the 737 MAX. Read more about the visit, here and here.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science and member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture – today sent a letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer requesting that the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) be considered immediately upon its discharge from the Senate Finance Committee.

“We ought not allow this lack of seriousness on the part of House Democrats to stand in the way of the Senate moving forward on the important legislative work the American people elected each of us to accomplish,” wrote Sen. Moran. “In particular, passage of the USMCA must be a top priority of the Senate. Should the impeachment process remain stalled, I urge you to move to the consideration of the USMCA implementing legislation upon its discharge from the Senate Finance Committee.”

“Having received 385 votes in the House of Representatives, the USMCA is an overwhelmingly bipartisan product, making its passage a readily accomplishable achievement,” continued Sen. Moran. “Barring a sudden end to House Democrats’ political gamesmanship regarding impeachment, the Senate ought to expeditiously consider and pass this historic agreement.”

Timeline of Sen. Moran’s engagement regarding a modernized trade agreement:

• November 15, 2017: Sen. Moran sends open letter to U.S. agricultural organizations regarding the threat of NAFTA withdrawal and urged them to advocate for sound trade policy.
• December 6, 2017: Sen. Moran met with Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross regarding NAFTA negotiations.
• January 7, 2018 and January 13, 2019: Sen. Moran spoke at the American Farm Bureau Federation annual convention about the importance of trade and modernizing NAFTA.
• January 30, 2018: Sen. Moran sent a letter to President Trump highlighting how NAFTA benefits the United States and outlining how the agreement can be improved.
• February 1, 2018: Spoke at annual National Cattlemen’s Beef Association conference about importance of trade and modernizing NAFTA.
• April 12, 2018: Sen. Moran discussed the importance of trade and NAFTA during an Agriculture and Trade Roundtable at the White House with President Trump.
• May 23, 2018: Sen. Moran sent a letter urging the administration to work closely with members of Congress to make certain a renegotiated NAFTA has the congressional support necessary to be enacted into law.
• July 26, 2018: Sen. Moran spoke on the Senate floor regarding the importance of trade to Kansas, including with Canada and Mexico
• August 28, 2018: Sen. Moran sent a letter urging President Trump to ensure Canada was part of trilateral deal following the U.S. and Mexico reaching a preliminary agreement on a revamped NAFTA.
• October 1, 2018: Sen. Moran released a statement after the United States, Canada and Mexico announced they have reached a trilateral deal regarding the future of NAFTA.
• January 18, 2019: Sen. Moran authored an op-ed in The Garden City Telegram regarding the importance of trade agreements and passing the USMCA.
• April 18, 2019: Sen. Moran released a statement on the report accessing the likely impact of USMCA by the International Trade Commission.
• December 10, 2019: Sen. Moran spoke on the Senate floor applauding the agreement reached on USMCA.

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