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Ahead of Apollo 11 Anniversary, Sen. Moran Discusses NASA Priorities with Administrator Bridenstine
Jul 17 2019
Sen. Jerry Moran: Why Feeding the World is in America’s Best Interest
By World Food Program USA
July 16, 2019
Throughout our nation’s history, leaders from across the aisle have dedicated their careers to ending global hunger. Senator Jerry Moran from Kansas is one of those leaders. Senator Moran is chair and co-founder of the Senate Hunger Caucus and a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, and throughout his career, he has worked with the World Food Programme to implement programs and policies that promote food security. We recently sat down with Senator Moran to learn more about his commitment to feeding hungry families across the world.
WFP USA: Why do you personally care about global food security??
Sen. Moran: The call to feed the world has been answered by so many Kansans before me.?Each of us is taught at a young age that it is our duty to help those in need. Kansans take that moral responsibility to heart. As individuals, we help our neighbors. Through churches and local organizations, we feed our communities. And as a country, America leads the world in providing food for millions of people in need of assistance around the globe.
WFP USA: Imagine you’re hosting a town hall meeting in Kansas and you’re met with skepticism about global engagement generally or food aid in particular.?Why should Kansans and the rest of America care about global food security?
Sen. Moran: American farmers are linked to global markets and, by extension, to the wellbeing of people everywhere. Today, 821 million people around the world suffer from chronic hunger. About 113 million are facing immediate, life-threatening hunger. America’s international food assistance programs build stronger markets and more stable societies. They also provide a reliable market for American farmers right now when they need it most.
Food security also contributes to our national security.?When governments cannot feed their own people, chaos and violence often follow. Food assistance provided by the United States leads to greater stability in regions of the world important to America’s strategic interests.?When parents have access to food, they can provide a better future for their children. And when hunger no longer impedes a child’s ability to learn, they can remain and thrive in school, leading them down a path to greater opportunities.
While our country’s collective moral convictions make fighting hunger the right thing to do, the benefits we receive as a nation from reducing global food insecurity also make it the smart thing to do.
WFP USA: America has always been a leader in the fight against global hunger. Looking back at our history of hunger relief, what are key U.S. policies and programs that have made a big difference in reducing hunger abroad??
Sen. Moran: Kansans in particular have a long history of leading the fight to end global hunger. Most notably, Senator Bob Dole from Kansas worked to expand our nation’s efforts to provide food to the most vulnerable populations around the world, including young school girls, through the?Dole-McGovern Food for Education Program. It is an honor to continue this tradition and example set by Senator Dole as we continue the fight against hunger.
And, of course,?Food for Peace?has also been instrumental in fighting global hunger.
WFP USA: Let’s look specifically at the Food for Peace Program. This year marks its?65th?anniversary. What role has this program played in addressing global hunger??
Sen. Moran: Since?Food for Peace?was signed into law 65 years ago by President Eisenhower, a native Kansan, it has reached over 4 billion people in the world.?Food for Peace?is the cornerstone of U.S. international food aid programs. It provides U.S.-grown food to hungry people in some of the most dangerous and hardest to reach areas in the world, including in conflict zones. From the aftermath of the Korean War to conflicts in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia today,?Food for Peace continues to provide hope for people who have nowhere else to turn. With several areas of the world facing famine or near-famine conditions today,?Food for Peace?has never been more important to addressing global hunger.
WFP USA: How are you currently working to fight global hunger? Are there any pieces of related legislation that you’re passionate about passing to advance this cause?
Sen. Moran: As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I work to prioritize funding for our international food aid programs, including?Food for Peace?and?Dole-McGovern. Each year, Congress must decide how to allocate limited funds among many important policies across government. I fight for international food aid programs to be at the top of the priority list because these programs help save lives around the world, contribute to global stability and provide important markets for American farmers.
WFP USA: Sen. Moran, you serve a large agriculture producing state. How do you see food assistance programs creating and expanding markets for U.S.?agriculture products??
Sen. Moran: Kansas is a top wheat, sorghum and beef producing state. We also grow corn, soybeans and cotton, and are one of the fastest growing dairy production states in the nation. Kansans’ ability to earn a living in rural areas is by exporting the food and fiber we grow to consumers around the world. Through international food aid programs, we are helping to connect the bounty of food that farmers and ranchers produce in Kansas with people facing starvation around the world.
Good harvests, coupled with a lack of markets, have made large stockpiles of grain a familiar site across the state in recent years. I pulled over to the side of the road to take a photo in Kensington, Kansas of a huge pile of sorghum on the ground because all of the grain elevators were full. I’ve shown that photo to President Trump, Secretary Perdue and others to illustrate the importance of export markets for Kansas farmers and ranchers. The photo has also raised the question – how do we do better at getting the large amounts of food we grow in Kansas to people who are facing hunger and starvation?
WFP USA: What is your hope for the future?of America’s role in global food security???What do you think we need to do as Americans to ensure that everyone across the world has the food they need to not only survive, but also reach their full potential??
Sen. Moran: In my lifetime I believe we can end hunger, malnutrition and achieve food security across the world. We can accomplish this if America continues to lead the world in combatting hunger. This is an issue in which the morally correct thing to do is also what’s in the best interest of our country. By continuing to invest in?Food for Peace,?Dole-McGovern?and other international food-aid programs, we will save lives around the world and reduce conflict by promoting greater social and economic stability.
To read the full World Food Program USA Q&A with Sen. Moran, click here.
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Sen. Moran, Colleagues Urge Sec. Pompeo to Push for Release of Saudi Women’s Rights Activists
Jul 16 2019
Dear Mr. Secretary:
We write to express our concern regarding the ongoing detention and alleged mistreatment of women’s rights defenders wrongfully imprisoned in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We are deeply troubled by reports that some of the activists have been subjected to torture and abuse while in custody. In keeping with the Administration’s stated priorities of upholding U.S. values and protecting national security, we urge you to publicly and privately press Saudi Arabia’s senior government officials to respect the fundamental human rights and freedoms of all Saudi citizens and to immediately release the women’s rights activists.
Saudi Arabia has consistently been categorized by Freedom House and other human rights organizations as one of the worst violators of political rights and civil liberties, particularly for women. The most blatant recent example of this was the assassination of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018. However, in May 2018, Saudi officials rounded up and arrested Saudi women’s rights activists on charges such as acting as agents of hostile foreign powers and undermining the security of Saudi Arabia. The crackdown continued in April 2019, when individuals with ties to currently jailed women activists and those supportive of social reforms were arrested. The crimes of these women and men were nothing more than exercising their fundamental right to peacefully protest their government’s repressive policies on issues pertaining to the right to drive, the male guardianship system, and the right to participate in elections. Many of those detained have yet to be indicted and there have been reports of some of the women being tortured by senior Saudi officials, including beatings, sleep deprivation, electric shocks, waterboarding, sexual harassment, sexual violence, and threats of murder.
The strategic partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia is in our national security interest. However, the government of Saudi Arabia’s continued human rights abuses risk threatening that partnership and our critical work to confront many regional challenges. Therefore, we urge you to raise, both publicly and privately, the issue of the Saudi women’s rights activists and urge for their immediate and unconditional release at the highest levels of the Saudi government until they are all free.
We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to working with you to advance human rights in Saudi Arabia and ensure a more cooperative bilateral relationship.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs – joined U.S Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) – ranking member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations – in introducing a bipartisan resolution expressing solidarity with Falun Gong, a Chinese spiritual discipline based upon universal principles of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance. The resolution condemns the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Communist Party of China’s oppression of Falun Gong practitioners, including the practice of non-consenting organ harvesting.
“Supporting religious freedom is fundamental to who we are as a nation,” said Sen. Moran. “Since introducing this resolution last Congress, matters relating to Falun Gong’s persecution in China have only become more urgent and deserve scrutiny from the United States and the world. Through this resolution, the Senate recognizes and highlights the findings of the United Nations, the State Department and the Independent Tribunal into Forced Organ Harvesting and calls on the People’s Republic of China to cease its oppression and torture of Falun Gong members.”
“For over 20 years, the Chinese government’s mistreatment of Falun Gong practitioners has been morally and fundamentally wrong. The continued jailing, torturing, and killing of Falun Gong practitioners, along with the illegal harvesting of Falun Gong prisoners’ organs, highlights the necessity of U.S. and international pressure on the People’s Republic of China to end these human rights abuses,” said Sen. Menendez. “The Falun Gong practitioners, along with all Chinese people, deserve the freedom to worship in whatever manner they choose. I will continue to spearhead this important issue and work with my colleagues to ensure that the U.S. government is vocal about the need for these human rights abuses to end in China.”
Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) is a Chinese spiritual discipline founded by Li Hongzhi in 1992 that consists of spiritual and moral teachings, meditation and exercise. Since 1999, hundreds of Falun Gong adherents have allegedly died in custody from torture, abuse and neglect. In 2018, the United Nations Human Rights Council recommended that China end its persecution of religious minorities, including Falun Gong practitioners.
Joining Sens. Moran and Menendez in introducing the resolution are U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Angus King (I-Maine), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Bill Cassidy (R-La.).
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Sen. Moran Continues Work to Improve Accuracy of Broadband Coverage Maps
Senators’ letter to FCC follows introduction of legislation laying out path to more accurate mapping
Jul 11 2019
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation – joined Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Brian Schatz (D- Hawaii) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) in urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take specific, concrete steps to improve the accuracy of broadband coverage maps. Their letter to Chairman Ajit Pai encourages the FCC to look at legislative proposals introduced recently in Congress that include reforms requiring wired, fixed wireless and satellite broadband providers to submit data like “shapefiles” that is more granular and precise to the commission.
“Precise, granular, and accurate data is essential to determining which parts of the country remain unserved and where to more efficiently target broadband deployment funding,” the senators wrote. “Improved data is essential for Congress and the Commission to identify where adequate broadband service is and is not, and how to avoid subsidizing overbuilding of existing networks.”
“[The proposals Congress has already introduced] would provide the FCC with an effective framework to replace its flawed census block-based system,” the senators continued. “We appreciate the FCC’s consideration of our suggestions for ways to improve its broadband data collection and reporting initiative, and look forward to working with you to close the digital divide.”
This bipartisan group of Senators introduced the Broadband Data Improvement Act of 2019 (BDIA) in May 2019. The legislation would require broadband providers to report data to create an improved National Broadband Map that is significantly more accurate and granular, as well as subject to an ongoing and multi-faceted challenge, validation and refinement process. Accurate and granular data will enable federal agencies to target funding to the areas that need it the most, close the remaining coverage gaps and ensure accountability and transparency. Chairman Pai and other FCC commissioners discussed this legislation and other efforts to improve federal broadband coverage mapping at a June Commerce Committee hearing. Separately, Sen. Moran also cosponsored the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability (DATA) Act, which also aims to improve the accuracy of the broadband availability maps by strengthening the process by which data is collected.
Full text of the letter can be found here and below.
Dear Chairman Pai,
As Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (the Commission) work together to close the digital divide, we encourage the Commission to act swiftly to fix its broadband deployment data collection and reporting process. Precise, granular, and accurate data is essential to determining which parts of the country remain unserved and where to more efficiently target broadband deployment funding. Improved data is essential for Congress and the Commission to identify where adequate broadband service is and is not available, and how to avoid subsidizing overbuilding of existing networks.
On June 12, 2019, the Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing examining policy issues and providing oversight of the Commission. At that hearing, you announced that you would present to the Commission a plan for providing more accurate broadband maps very soon. As you recognized, the Commission’s census block-based data collection and reporting can overstate coverage, especially in geographically large census blocks. This can unfairly identify unserved locations and even entire communities as being served, resulting in those places missing out on desperately needed funding support. For this reason, among others, there is a broad bipartisan consensus that the Commission should move away from its census block-based reporting process.
As the Commission continues to work towards a solution and takes up the proposed report and order at the Commission’s August meeting, we encourage you to look at the proposals Congress has already introduced, which include reforms that would require wired, fixed wireless and satellite broadband providers to submit data that is more granular and precise to the Commission. For instance, allowing fixed broadband providers to submit “shapefiles” would provide more detailed information about the areas they actually serve than the current census block approach.
Furthermore, we believe that it is critical that any proposal offered by the Commission provide consumers, state, local and tribal government entities the opportunity to challenge erroneous coverage data. Such a process will help the Commission improve the accuracy of the data it receives. These proposals would provide the Commission with an effective framework to begin to replace its flawed census block-based system.
We appreciate the Commission’s consideration of our suggestions for ways to improve its broadband data collection and reporting initiative, and look forward to working with you to close the digital divide.
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Sens. Moran, Sinema Introduce VA Housing Legislation Named in Honor of Kansas Veteran
The Paul Benne Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019 would modernize, expand VA housing program
Jul 10 2019
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) – both members of Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee – introduced the Paul Benne Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019 to expand Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) eligibility for seriously injured or ill veterans. This legislation is named after Spring Hill, Kan. native, Army Colonel (Ret.) Paul Benne, MD, MPH.
U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), David Roe (TN-01) and Mike Levin (CA-49) introduced companion legislation, the Ryan Kules Specially Adaptive Housing Improvement Act of 2019, in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In 2013, Col. Benne developed a medical condition that led to his retirement from the U.S. Army after 23 years of service. Col. Benne was rated 100 percent disabled at the time of his retirement. In 2016, Col. Benne was fitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for a wheelchair and applied for an SAH grant, as neither the Benne’s home nor vehicle could accommodate his new wheelchair. After more than a year of navigating the VA, Col. Benne and his wife, Christine, contacted Sen. Moran’s office for assistance. Within three months of Sen. Moran’s office working with Col. Benne to engage the VA, Col. Benne was given a favorable decision on his adaptive housing claim and provided SAH grants.
This legislation – developed to prevent future difficulties similar to those Col. Benne faced while trying to access an SAH grant – would give seriously ill veterans priority consideration for SAH grants, with the definition of “seriously ill” to be determined by the secretary of the VA; would double the maximum number of awarded grants from 3 to 6 per veteran; and would increase the number of authorized applications per Fiscal Year from 30 to 120.
“This legislation will serve veterans who may need similar assistance to that received by Colonel Benne by expanding SAH eligibility qualifications for seriously ill or injured veterans,” said Sen. Moran. “This modernized and expanded grant program will allow veterans to utilize vital SAH grants in a way that best fit their needs – providing greater support and improving the quality of life for many of our nation’s veterans. Thank you to Colonel Benne and his wife, Christine, for their decades of selfless service to our nation and for their advocacy, resiliency and willingness to share their story, which will undoubtedly help many veterans in the future.”
“Many veterans carry wounds from their service that make everyday life more challenging,” said Sen. Sinema. “That is why our bill is so important; it breaks down barriers and helps veterans access the specially adaptive housing benefits they’ve earned.”
“Sen. Moran is good about putting veterans first,” said Army Colonel (Ret.) Benne, MD, MPH. “This SAH grant has given me the ability to stay at home and my family the ability to better care for me. As my disease continues to change, the ability to change my surroundings will be met with this legislation.”
“We are pleased with the introduction of S. 2022,” said Paralyzed Veterans of America Executive Director Carl Blake. “This legislation is very important to PVA members because it will provide critical improvements to the Specially Adaptive Housing benefits that help them live healthy, productive lives in homes that meet there needs in their communities. We look forward to its swift passage.”
“S. 2022 will improve the quality of life for many wounded warriors and their families by helping ensure their homes fit their abilities,” said Wounded Warrior Project CEO Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Mike Linnington. “We are grateful to Sen. Jerry Moran for sponsoring this bill and to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema for co-sponsoring, and we thank them both for their leadership and great fidelity to our nation’s wounded warriors.”
“Wounded warriors face unique challenges in recovering from their injuries,” said Wounded Warrior Project Combat Stress Recovery Program Director Former U.S. Army Capt. Ryan Kules. “The Specially Adapted Housing benefit has helped me tremendously, and renewing this benefit every 10 years will help ensure wounded veterans’ homes can be adapted as our needs change throughout our lives.”
Col. Benne, a Spring Hill, Kan. native and University of Kansas School of Pharmacy graduate, served on both Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth during his 23 years of service in the United States Army, most recently as chief of the Department of Public Health at Irwin Army Medical Hospital on Fort Riley. He and his wife, Christine, reside in Manhattan, Kan.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies – today applauded President Donald Trump’s action to increase organ donations and advance kidney health, while drawing attention to work still left to be done as it pertains to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network’s (OPTN) liver allocation policy changes.
“Today’s executive order is a positive step forward that will ultimately save lives by introducing accountability for deficient Organ Procurement Organizations that does not currently exist, as these organizations self-report data and are rarely punished for poor performance,” said Sen. Moran. “While I am pleased to see the president taking this action, we still must address OPTN’s and the United Network for Organ Sharing’s reckless changes to the national liver distribution policy that could adversely impact many Americans seeking liver transplants. These organizations need greater accountability due to their misguided actions that could carry the heavy cost of losing human lives if remedial action isn’t swiftly taken.”
“These recent changes will punish patients waiting for transplants in Midwestern states with higher rates of organ donation – like Kansas – and reward our lowest performing ones, unfortunately moving in the opposite direction of the President’s executive order today,” continued Sen. Moran. “I will work to protect our hospitals and patients from dangerous decisions made at the federal level in our nation’s organ allocation policy and will continue to work with my colleagues and the administration on this issue.”
Items to Note:
- In April, Sen. Moran questioned Secretary Azar on the OPTN’s policy in an Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services hearing.
- Sen. Moran and Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) previously sent two letters to Secretary 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.
- Sens. Moran and Blunt also wrote an op-ed in the Kansas City Star underscoring the harmful impact the policy will have for patients in Missouri and Kansas.
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Senate Commerce Committee Advances Sen. Moran Bill to Help Prevent Seniors from Losing Money to Scams
Bipartisan Bill Would Train Retailers, Financial Institutions to Spot and Stop Fraudulent Transactions at the Point of Sale
Jul 10 2019
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the U.S. Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection – today applauded the Senate Commerce Committee’s unanimous vote to advance his bipartisan Stop Senior Scams Act, which would ensure retailers, financial institutions and wire transfer companies have the resources to train employees to help stop financial frauds and scams on seniors. Prior to the vote, Sen. Moran spoke about the merits of this legislation in front of the Senate Commerce Committee.
Click Here to Watch Sen. Moran’s Full Remarks
“Statistics measuring the financial cost of fraud that target seniors is someplace between $2 billion and $12 billion annually,” said Sen. Moran. “We all hear from our constituents about this on an ongoing basis . . . it is important that we spend time educating our seniors, but also bringing industry and advocacy leaders together to figure out ways to combat senior fraud.”
The bipartisan Stop Senior Scams Act would create a federal advisory council to develop educational materials for retailers, financial institutions and wire transfer companies to use to train employees on how to spot and stop financial scams at the point of sale. This legislation is endorsed by AARP, Amazon, Best Buy, Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Reports, MoneyGram, National Consumers League, National Retail Federation, Retail Industry Leaders Association, Target, Walmart and Western Union.
If you or a loved one receives a suspicious call, hang up the phone immediately and contact the Aging Committee’s toll-free Fraud Hotline at 1-855-303-9470.
Items to Note:
- Sens. Moran and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced the Stop Senior Scams Act on January 16, 2019.
- A summary of the legislation can be found here.
- Full text of the legislation can be found here.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) recognized Topeka, Kansas native and U.S. Open Champion Gary Woodland on the floor of the United States Senate.
“This was the first major championship victory of Gary Woodland’s career, and Gary made history by becoming the first KU alumnus to ever win a PGA major tournament,” stated Sen. Moran on the Senate floor. “I want to congratulate Gary on this historic win, but also recognize his actions off the course. Gary is advocate for Special Olympics and also partners with Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that grants scholarships to family members of U.S. servicemembers.”
“Kansans are extremely proud of you, Gary,” continued Sen. Moran. “We wish you and your family the best of luck moving forward, and will continue to root for your success.”
Click Here to Watch Sen. Moran’s Full Remarks
Remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Topeka, Kansas native and 2019 U.S. Open Champion, Gary Woodland.
“Gary Woodland grew up in Topeka and attended Shawnee Heights High School. After high school, Gary attended Washburn University on a full basketball scholarship before transferring to the University of Kansas to join the golf team.
“This was the first major championship victory of Gary Woodland’s career, and Gary made history by becoming the first KU alumnus to ever win a PGA major tournament.
“Gary’s performance at Pebble Beach was truly elite. He scored under par in all four rounds, including an impressive 6-under-par 65 in the second round.
“On Sunday’s final found, Gary battled the elements and a late surge by last year’s U.S. Open Champion, Brooks Koepka. On 18, Gary sunk a long birdie putt to solidify his win at 13 strokes under par, one stroke better than Tiger Woods’ historic 2000 U.S. Open victory at Pebble Beach.
“I want to congratulate Gary on this historic win, but also recognize his actions off the course.
“Gary is advocate for Special Olympics and also partners with Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that grants scholarships to family members of U.S. servicemembers.
“After his win, Gary noted that 20-year-old Amy Bockerstette – a special Olympian golfer – inspired his to ‘cross the finish line and earn his first major title.’ Gary also wore patriotic golf gear to honor our troops and Folds of Honor and thanked our troops for their service and stated, ‘There’s men and women who sacrifice and do so much for us so I can go out and play a game of golf and live my life under freedom.”’
“The final round also coincides with Father’s Day and this undoubtedly made this championship even more significant as Gary’s father watched him sink the final putt on 18. Gary said after his win that his dad worked nights so he could pursue his love of sports and spend time with him during the day.
“I want to recognize not only Gary, but the entire Woodland family: his parents, Dan and Linda; his wife, Gabby; his son, Jaxson; and the twin girls they’re expecting; on this tremendous achievement.
“Kansans are extremely proud of you, Gary. We wish you and your family the best of luck moving forward, and will continue to root for your success.”
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