WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today released the following statement after the Trump administration’s decision to exempt salt from tariffs on Canadian imports:

“The administration’s decision is welcome news for Kansas businesses and taxpayers. When these tariffs were proposed, I urged the U.S. Trade Representative to consider the impact on Kansas taxpayers and local businesses, including Morton Salt and Compass Minerals, both headquartered in Overland Park, which own and operate Canadian mines and bring salt into the United States for distribution. Salt is a critical commodity in our state, particularly as we head into colder weather with local governments utilizing it to remove ice and keep Kansans safe on the roads. I appreciate the decision to grant this exemption and will continue engaging with the administration on trade policies impacting workers and local businesses in Kansas.”

Items to note:

• In August, Sen. Moran raised concerns with U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer regarding the impact of the administration’s proposed 50 percent salt tariffs on Kansas businesses, local governments and taxpayers.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture – and U.S. Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE-03) – Chair of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade – today led over 50 of their colleagues in urging President Trump to prioritize policies that expand trade market access and provide certainty for American cattle producers. This comes after the President’s recent proclamation to increase the “other countries” quota for lean beef trimmings by 300,000 metric tons for 90 days beginning on September 1, 2026, and indicating that such imports will be sold at 25 percent below market price. U.S. Reps. Tracey Mann (R-KS-01), Derek Schmidt (R-KS-02) and Ron Estes (R-KS-04) also joined the letter.

“American ranchers work diligently to do more with less, weather volatile markets, and provide a safe food supply,” wrote the lawmakers. “Cattle markets are cyclical, and ranchers use the upswings to prepare for the inevitable downturn. Any intervention in the natural system, especially at a time when producers are making marketing decisions, threatens to pick winners and losers and undermine the long-term viability of family-owned cattle operations throughout the supply chain.”

“As you consider policy changes which could impact American livestock producers, we urge you to prioritize proposals which deliver long-term market stability and confidence while consulting closely with impacted stakeholders,” concluded the lawmakers. “We are eager to work together to deliver certainty for American cattle producers while continuing to deliver safe, affordable, and high-quality American beef.”

In addition, the letter was signed by Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Reps. Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Randy Feenstra (R-IA-04), Ann Wagner (R-MO-02), Max Miller (R-OH-07), Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02), Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04), Greg Steube (R-FL-17), Mike Carey (R-OH-15), Michelle Fischbach (R-MN-07), Blake Moore (R-UT-01), Mike Flood (R-NE-01), Mike Bost (R-IL-12), Jeff Hurd (R-CO-03), Zach Nunn (R-IA-03), Warren Davidson (R-OH-08), Gabe Evans (R-CO-08), Mark Alford (R-MO-04), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA-01), French Hill (R-AR-02), Morgan Griffith (R-VA-09), Brad Finstad (R-MN-01), Greg Murphy (R-NC-03), Frank Lucas (R-OK-03), Andy Barr (R-KY-06), John Rose (R-TN-06), Troy Downing (R-MT-02), Cliff Bentz (R-OR-02), Julie Fedorchak (R-ND), Tim Moore (R-NC-14), Bruce Westerman (R-AR-04), Rob Wittman (R-VA-01), Scott Franklin (R-FL-18), Austin Scott (R-GA-08), Mary Miller (R-IL-15), Celeste Maloy (R-UT-02), August Pfluger (R-TX-11), John McGuire III (R-VA-05), Darin LaHood (R-IL-16), Tom Cole (R-OK-04) and Mark Harris (R-NC-08).

Full text of the letter can be found here and below.

President Trump,

We appreciate your attention to the issues impacting American consumers, farmers, and ranchers. A strong American agriculture industry leads to greater efficiency, availability, affordability, and security in our food supply chain. American farmers and ranchers face significant headwinds, including years of prolonged drought, devastating natural disasters, animal disease and pest threats, market swings, and burdensome regulations.

As you know, the cattle industry is facing 75-year low inventory yet continues to efficiently raise cattle and produce beef that is unmatched in quality anywhere in the world. This does not happen by accident. American ranchers work diligently to do more with less, weather volatile markets, and provide a safe food supply. Cattle markets are cyclical, and ranchers use the upswings to prepare for the inevitable downturn. Any intervention in the natural system, especially at a time when producers are making marketing decisions, threatens to pick winners and losers and undermine the long-term viability of family-owned cattle operations throughout the supply chain.

Long term certainty can be delivered by fostering existing domestic demand and continuing efforts to expand overseas markets for American beef products, building on the successful trade deals you have already secured. As proven through the deals you struck with the United Kingdom and Australia, there is significant opportunity for advancing market access for American beef around the world. These trade deals, coupled with the significant benefits of the Working Families Tax Cuts, will drive long-term confidence in the market and create a natural incentive for ranchers to rebuild and expand their herds. Additionally, your support for a modernized Farm Bill would strengthen access to capital and expand flexibility within grazing and conservation programs, providing producers with the tools they need to strengthen and expand the cattle herd.

As you consider policy changes which could impact American livestock producers, we urge you to prioritize proposals which deliver long-term market stability and confidence while consulting closely with impacted stakeholders. We are eager to work together to deliver certainty for American cattle producers while continuing to deliver safe, affordable, and high-quality American beef.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today released the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report on the operational status of the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan:

“I reviewed the report from USDA’s Office of Inspector General following its September 2025 site visit. It is disappointing that NBAF was not fully operational when the facility was transferred from DHS to USDA in 2024. Despite DHS’s failure, then-USDA Secretary Vilsack testified that NBAF was expected to be significantly operational by the end of 2024. Since then, I have insisted that USDA quickly bring NBAF to full operational capacity – a point I have emphasized to Secretary Rollins. In my role as a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, we have provided funding necessary for successful completion of the facility.

“NBAF is important to the safety of Americans, and further delays cannot be tolerated. Deputy Secretary Vaden has visited the facility with me, and I have invited Secretary Rollins to do the same. I will continue working with USDA and department officials to make certain there is a clear timeline and that the resources necessary are in place to realize NBAF’s full operational capacity.”

Items to note:

• In January, Sen. Moran applauded USDA’s decision to exempt NBAF from the federal hiring freeze. The announcement came after Sen. Moran called on USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to pursue an exemption and expedite the recruitment and hiring of staff at NBAF.
• In September 2025, Sen. Moran hosted USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden at NBAF for a tour of the facility.
• In April 2024, during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, then-USDA Secretary Vilsack testified that NBAF was expected to be significantly operational by the end of 2024.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science – last week hosted NASA’s Artemis II astronauts Command Reid Wiseman and Mission Specialist Christina Koch, along with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, at the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, Kansas, to highlight how it is inspiring and preparing the next generation while advancing American leadership in innovation and space exploration.

“I have this dream that people in our state – people who have an interest in science, mathematics, engineering and research – that they have a future not only at our universities and our schools, but they have a future in our state,” said Sen. Moran. “The Cosmosphere is helping make that reality possible by inspiring and training young people to pursue their dreams right here in Kansas.”

“Places like the Cosmosphere have an important role to play in that mission,” said Administrator Isaacman. “They remind the next generation that history is not finished here.”

Watch the Artemis II Crew’s Visit to Kansas HERE


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