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U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Committee Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Trade, and Consumer Protection – questioned members of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on issues related to data security and the protection of consumers across America who use products regulated by the CPSC. This questioning occurred during Sen. Moran’s subcommittee hearing on Thursday, June 20, 2019.
Sen. Moran Questions VA Leadership on Suicide Prevention Efforts and Veteran Mental Health
Jun 19 2019
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – questioned Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs Robert Wilkie and Veterans Health Administration Suicide Prevention Program Director Dr. Keita Franklin on the VA’s suicide prevention efforts and overall veteran mental health. This questioning occurred during a Committee hearing on Wednesday, June 19, 2019.
VetLinks Founder and CEO Jess Kavanagh Testifies Before Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee
Jun 19 2019
VetLinks Founder and CEO Jess Kavanagh – at Senator Jerry Moran’s (R-Kan.) invitation – testified before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs committee on the journey of her and her late husband that inspired her to create VetLinks, a nonprofit organization focused on veteran mental healthcare. Jess’s late husband, Brian Kavanagh, is a native of Pittsburg, Kansas.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation and Space; and Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense – attended the 53rd International Paris Air Show Le Bourget with Kansas aviation leaders, where he highlighted the Air Capital of the World’s contributions to aviation on a global stage.
“The aerospace industry is where a strong national defense and a strong economy converge, and nowhere is that more evident than in Kansas,” said Sen. Moran. “For nearly 100 years, Kansans have promoted and embodied a culture of innovation in aerospace, which is more imperative today than ever before. Aerospace innovation and growth in Kansas not only improve the lives of Kansans but reverberate across the aerospace industry as a whole. I was pleased to spend time with the world’s leading aerospace companies to promote the innovation and talent that our state can offer them to grow their businesses in Kansas and to build new partnerships. I am proud to represent the Air Capital of the World in the City of Light.”
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Sen. Moran introduces bipartisan, bicameral legislation to level the playing field for clean energy
Would give clean energy projects access to a tax advantage currently available only to oil, gas, and coal projects
Jun 17 2019
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) reintroduced bipartisan legislation, the Financing Our Energy Future Act, to level the energy playing field by giving investors in a range of clean energy projects access to a decades-old corporate structure whose tax advantage is currently available only to investors in fossil fuel-based energy projects.
This straightforward, powerful modification of the federal tax code could unleash significant private capital by helping an emerging class of energy-generation and renewable fuel companies to form master limited partnerships – which combine the funding advantages of corporations and the tax advantages of partnerships. A companion bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Ron Estes (KS-04) and Mike Thompson (CA-05).
“The United States has the largest and most efficient capital markets in the world, yet our renewable energy companies rarely have access to those markets,” said Sen. Moran. “In order to grow our economy and increase our energy security, sound economic tools, like MLPs, should be expanded to include additional domestic energy sources. The Financing Our Energy Future Act will allow the renewable energy sector to utilize the MLP structure for project development, making it accessible to a broader and deeper investment pool that can drastically reduce the time and cost associated with deploying new energy technologies.”
“Clean energy technologies have made tremendous progress in the last several decades, and they deserve the same shot at success in the market as traditional energy projects have experienced through the federal tax code,” said Sen. Coons. “By updating the code, the bipartisan Financing Our Energy Future Act levels the playing field for a broad range of domestic energy sources – clean and traditional alike – to support the all-of-the-above energy strategy we need to power our country for generations to come. This practical, market-driven solution will unleash private capital and create jobs, and that’s why it has earned broad support from Republicans and Democrats in Congress as well as think tanks, business leaders, and investors. Updating the tax code in this way will help increase parity and ensure that these energy technologies can permanently benefit from the incentives that traditional energy sources have depended on to build infrastructure for more than 30 years.”
A master limited partnership (MLP) is a business structure that is taxed as a partnership, but whose ownership interests are traded like corporate stock on a market. By statute, MLPs are currently only available to investors in energy portfolios for oil, natural gas, coal extraction and pipeline projects. These projects get access to larger and more liquid sources of capital than are available for traditionally financed energy projects, making them highly effective at attracting private investment. Investors in clean energy projects, however, have been explicitly prevented from forming MLPs, starving a fast-growing portion of America’s domestic energy sector of the capital it needs to build and grow.
Newly eligible energy resources would include solar, wind, marine and hydrokinetic energy, fuel cells, energy storage, combined heat and power, biomass, waste heat to power, renewable fuels, biorefineries, energy efficient buildings, and carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS).
The Financing Our Energy Future Act is endorsed by American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), Advanced Biofuels Business Council, the Algae Biomass Organization, the Alliance for Industrial Efficiency, the Alliance to Save Energy, Amazon, Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), BPC Action, Carbon180, Carbon Capture Coalition, Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), Ceres, Clean Air Task Force, Covanta Energy, Energy Storage Association, Growth Energy, International District Energy Association, Master Limited Partnership Association, the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO), National Hydropower Association, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), National Wildlife Federation, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Third Way.
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Sens. Moran, Smith Introduce Legislation to Create DoD Pilot Program on Injury Prediction & Prevention
Jun 13 2019
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) today introduced the bipartisan Military Readiness and Injury Prevention Act, S. 1860, to help reduce servicemember musculoskeletal injuries. This legislation would require the Department of Defense to create a pilot program to evaluate musculoskeletal injury risk profiles and necessary training interventions, based on unique service requirements and tactical personnel needs.
“Whether in training or on the battlefield, the men and women who serve our nation are at risk for injury,” said Sen. Moran. “Our bipartisan proposal would provide the Armed Services the ability to utilize emerging technology to help prevent and treat musculoskeletal injuries that affect our servicemembers, which will increase the readiness, resiliency and deployability of our forces.”
“Right now, injuries that can hurt Americans’ stability and their ability to move freely—known as musculoskeletal injuries—are one of the top sources of disability and injury for the women and men who serve our nation. These injuries result in millions of dollars in health care visits and limited-duty days, not to mention the physical toll these injuries take on servicemembers,” said Sen. Smith. “We’re introducing our bipartisan bill that would create a pilot program to prevent and reduce injuries, as well as cut down on health care costs to create a healthier and more capable military.”
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Sens. Moran, Blunt, Roberts, Hawley Applaud Kansas City Selection for New ERS & NIFA Location
Jun 13 2019
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) today applauded U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s selection of the Kansas City area as the new location for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
“After months of advocating to Secretary Perdue that NIFA and ERS ought to be relocated to the Kansas City area, I’m thrilled that USDA has selected Kansas City to house these critical research agencies,” said Sen. Moran. “The animal health corridor, stretching from Manhattan, Kansas to Columbia, Missouri, is the largest concentration of animal health companies in the world, and Kansas is also the home of the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility – and today’s decision further bolsters Kansas City’s status as a national leader in the ag industry. It is always positive when our government can operate outside of Washington and closer to the people it serves, and I am certain that the decision to relocate NIFA and ERS to Kansas City is a good one. I look forward to helping welcome these USDA agencies and employees to Kansas City.”
“Today’s announcement is great news for the Kansas City region and our state,” said Sen. Blunt. “These agencies will bring hundreds of good-paying jobs to the area and enhance Missouri’s role as a national leader in ag research. Secretary Perdue made the right choice in selecting Kansas City, which is a great place to live and work. The challenges and opportunities have never been greater than they will be in the next 25 years. These research agencies do great work, and will be at the cutting edge of agriculture and well located for assistance and examples as they do their job.”
“I am excited to hear USDA selected Kansas City as the new location for the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Agricultural research is a critical function of USDA, and I am committed to ensuring we continue to support and strengthen the research mission that our US producers rely on. Kansas City is an obvious choice, as many other USDA agencies in the area partner closely with stakeholders,” said Sen. Roberts. “The vital research that will occur at the National Bio and Agro-defense Facility (NBAF) and already occurs throughout the KC Animal Health Corridor makes Kansas City a natural fit. I am pleased that USDA recognizes the rich resources the heartland provides.”
“This is outstanding news for the Kansas City region. We’re home to some of the hardest working farmers in the country, so this is a fantastic decision by the USDA,” said Sen. Hawley. “As the new home of the Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Missouri and Kansas will continue to lead in the research and development of American agricultural policy for the 21st century. We are grateful for the job opportunities and renewed partnership this move creates for our state.”
“We have been proud to represent the KC region and we remain committed to partnering with USDA throughout the entire relocation process. We are ready to welcome the ERS and NIFA teams and introduce them to KC’s incredible culture, robust scientific community and unprecedented access to the farm, agribusiness, research and financial customers they serve,” said Kansas City Area Development Council President and CEO Tim Cowden.
Both ERS and NIFA are key research arms of USDA, currently located in the Washington, D.C. area. Secretary Perdue launched an effort to relocate these agencies outside of the Washington, D.C., region.
Item to note:
- On May 21, 2019, Sen. Moran led a bipartisan, bicameral delegation of federal lawmakers from Kansas and Missouri in urging Sec. Perdue to select Kansas City area as headquarters for ERS and NIFA.
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Park Service Determines Chisholm and Great Western Trails Meet Criteria to Become National Historic Trails
Jun 11 2019
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today announced that the National Park Service (NPS) has determined that the Chisholm and Great Western cattle trails meet the criteria to become National Historic Trails. The NPS made this determination in a final feasibility study submitted to Congress following a request from Sen. Moran.
Starting in 1867 and lasting into the 1880s, these trails carried upwards of ten million cattle as they traveled northbound from Southern Texas to Kansas communities such as Caldwell, Wichita, Abilene, Ellsworth, Dodge City and many others.
“This determination by the National Park Service moves us one step closer to preserving these historic cattle trails long into the future,” said Sen. Moran. “I am pleased to have partnered with a coalition of Kansans in working to conserve these trails that are foundational for many Kansas communities and of national historic significance. Importantly, designating these trails will not require federal land acquisition and participation by private property owners is strictly voluntary. I look forward to continuing our work as we begin the process of passing legislation to officially designate these trails.”
In March 2009, Congress directed the NPS to study the cattle trails for possible addition to the National Historic Trails System. In 2015, the Draft Chisholm and Great Western Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment found that designating the historic cattle trail routes was “physically feasible,” as well as “suitable and desirable, given the apparent level of public support for designation and the opportunities designation would provide for heritage tourism, protection of original trail sites, and public recreation and education.” The study also noted that “No federal land acquisition is anticipated. No lands or interests in lands shall be acquired by the federal government without the consent of the owner.”
The Senate’s FY2019 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies report (Report 115-276) states: ““The Committee is concerned about the Service’s lack of progress in completing a final study on the feasibility of designating the Chisholm and Great Western Trail cattle trails as national historic routes, as directed by Section 5303 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009. The Committee directs the Service to work expeditiously to complete the study in a timely fashion and report back to the Committee on any impediments to completion.”
On April 19, 2019, Sen. Moran urged U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary David Bernhardt to work to complete and submit the final feasibility study to Congress for designating the Chisholm and Great Western cattle trails as National Historic Trails. Congress can now enact legislation that would officially designate the trails while ensuring the protection of private property rights.
Items to note:
- To read the final feasibility study from the NPS submitted to Congress, click here.
- To read Sen. Moran’s letter to Secretary Bernhardt, click here.
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Sen. Moran: MISSION Act implementation signals new day for veterans’ healthcare
VA MISSION Act’s Community Care Program rolls out today, one year after becoming law
Jun 06 2019
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – today recognized the one-year anniversary and the implementation of The John S. McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka, and Samuel R. Johnson VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks, or the VA MISSION Act.
The VA MISSION Act – which begins implementation nationwide today – improves, expands and modernizes the Veterans’ Community Care Program, and includes several provisions introduced by Sen. Moran and the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
“The imminent implementation of the VA MISSION Act signals a new day for veterans’ healthcare,” said Sen. Moran. “Over the past several years, I’ve worked in a bipartisan manner to create a 21st century VA healthcare system that meets the needs of veterans, reduces bureaucracy, improves care coordination, supports rural hospitals, allows our veterans to receive care from local walk-in clinics, increases the availability of telemedicine and beyond.”
“Americans of all ages, from all backgrounds and walks of life, have bravely stepped up to defend our nation, and I remain committed to fostering a transformative VA that provides them ample access to timely, quality healthcare when they return to civilian life,” continued Sen. Moran. “The VA MISSION Act is a significant leap forward in accomplishing this goal and I will continue working with VA leadership to make certain that MISSION Act implementation continues as intended by Congress and that the VA puts veterans’ best interest at the center of its decision-making.”
If you are a veteran or a community care provider looking for more information on the VA MISSION Act, please click here.
Timeline of Sen. Moran’s work on the Veterans Choice Program and VA MISSION Act:
-2014-
June 3, 2014: Sen. Moran joined Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.), Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) to introduce the Veterans Choice Act.
June 11, 2014: The Senate passed Sen. Moran’s legislation to establish the Veterans Choice Program.
August 7, 2014: The Veterans Choice Program was signed into law by then-President Barack Obama.
December 15, 2014: Sen. Moran introduced legislation to improve the Veteran Choice Program’s 40-mile eligibility rule.
-2015-
January 22, 2015: Sen. Moran spoke on the Senate floor regarding his legislation to improve the Choice Program’s 40-mile rule.
February 26, 2015: Sen. Moran questioned VA Secretary McDonald about flawed implementation of Choice Program.
May 22, 2015: Senate unanimously passed Sen. Moran’s legislation to improve 40-mile Choice Act eligibility criteria.
July 23, 2015: Sen. Moran expressed concern with VA budget shortfall in Community Care accounts.
December 2, 2015: Sen. Moran urged then-VA Deputy Secretary Gibson to improve Choice Act implementation.
-2016-
March 7, 2016: Sen. Moran joined Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) to introduce the Veterans Choice Improvement Act.
-2017-
January 20, 2017: Sen. Moran urged President Donald Trump to work with Congress to improve the Veterans Choice Program
January 24, 2017: Sen. Moran was selected as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.
February 1, 2017: Sen. Moran pressed then-VA Secretary nominee Shulkin on Choice Program eligibility criteria.
March 8, 2017: Sen. Moran joined Senators Jon Tester (D-Mont.), John McCain (R-Ariz.), Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) to introduce legislation to improve and extend the Veterans Choice Program.
April 3, 2017: The Senate passed legislation to preserve the Veterans Choice Program.
April 19, 2017: The Veterans Choice Improvement Act was signed into law. Sen. Moran and Sen. McCain authored an op-ed on the Veterans Choice Program, “A great day for veterans and Veterans Choice.”
June 7, 2017: Sen. Moran questioned then-VASecretary Shulkin on the Choice Program at Veterans Affairs Committee hearing.
June 21, 2017: Sen. Moran convened hearing with then-VA Secretary Shulkin and questioned Choice budget shortfall and VA’s recent changes to Choice Program; sent letter to then-Secretary Shulkin regarding financial mismanagement at the VA.
July 27, 2017: Sen. Moran spoke on Senate floor urging colleagues to pass legislation to fund the Veterans Choice Program and fix the budget shortfall.
August 2, 2017: Sen. Moran voted for additional funding to maintain the Veterans Choice Program.
October 24, 2017: Sen. Moran discussed the importance of the Veterans Choice Program with President Trump during a Senate policy meeting.
December 4, 2017: Sen. Moran and Sen. McCain introduced legislation to reform the VA into a 21st century healthcare system, integrating VA services and VA community care programs to increase veterans’ access to timely, quality care.
December 15, 2017: Sen. Moran and Sen. McCain authored the op-ed, “Health Care for Veterans Needs Another Big Fix,” explaining the fundamental problems with the VA they sought to fix with their legislation.
-2018-
January 17, 2018: Sen. Moran questioned then-VA Secretary David Shulkin about the implementation of access standards for veterans to be eligible for community care under proposed Choice legislation.
April 3, 2018: Sen. Moran authored an op-ed, “Status Quo in VA Culture Shouldn’t Put Bureaucracy Ahead of Vets,” highlighting the need for strong leadership at the VA to implement critical reforms to VA healthcare and VA community care programs.
May 3, 2018: Sen. Moran worked to strengthen VA reform legislation, increasing Congressional oversight and modernizing the VA to provide the best possible care for veterans.
May 17, 2018: Sen. Moran honored Sen. McCain on the Senate floor and advocated for passage of legislation in his name to reform the VA.
May 22, 2018: Sen. Moran took to the Senate floor to share with his colleagues his top reasons to vote in favor of the VA MISSION Act.
May 23, 2018: Sen. Moran voted in favor of the VA MISSION Act on the Senate floor.
June 6, 2018: Sen. Moran attended the VA MISSION Act signing ceremony in the White House Rose Garden.
November 11, 2018: Sen. Moran authored an op-ed in The Hill, entitled, “Implementation matters: Making certain the VA Mission Act will work for veterans,” highlighting the importance of implementing the VA MISSION Act as Congress intended with the best interest of veterans at the forefront of every decision.
-2019-
March 6, 2019: Sen. Moran met with VA Secretary Robert Wilkie to discuss the implementation of the VA MISSION Act and the regulations and processes for carrying out the new Community Care Program.
March 26, 2019: Sen. Moran questioned VA Secretary Robert Wilkie on VA MISSION Act implementation and the upcoming closure of the Emporia community-based outpatient clinic during a committee hearing.
March 30, 2019: Sen. Moran held a townhall meeting for area veterans ahead of the Emporia Department of Veterans Affairs community based outpatient clinic (CBOC) closure and expressed how the VA MISSION Act would supplement the clinic’s closure.
April 11, 2019: Sen. Moran questioned senior VA healthcare leaders on VA MISSION Act implementation, community care programs and veteran mental health during a committee hearing.
May 16, 2019: Sen. Moran questioned Deputy Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs nominee James Byrne on VA MISSION Act implementation.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) – co-chairs of the Senate Aerospace Caucus – re-introduced S.1713, Aeronautics Innovation Act, to help boost innovation, research and development in the aeronautics industry. The bill would provide a five-year funding commitment to advance innovation and supplement research in the field.
In 2017, the U.S. aerospace and defense industry produced approximately 2.4 million jobs and generated $865 billion in economic output. However, without the proper strategy and investment, the U.S. risks falling behind other industrialized nations in developing and advancing the next generation of aircraft. Forecasts estimate that the world’s demand for passenger aircraft fleet above 100 seats will double over the next 20 years, generating new plane orders between 35,000 and 40,000 worth more than $5 trillion by 2035.
“The future of our aerospace industry depends on our commitment today in aviation research, testing and manufacturing,” said Sen. Moran. “As the Air Capital of the World, Kansas continues to play a prominent role in the national aerospace industry and for generations has been a leader in propelling the industry forward. Across the country – with the proper resources and the ability to continue attracting a strong workforce – the industry is poised to make groundbreaking discoveries, perfect new technology and build better and more efficient aircraft. The investment that can be made by passing this legislation will make certain that our successes can continue into the next generation.”
“In order for the U.S. to boost its competitive edge in aeronautics, Congress must enact policies that invest in long-term research and development,” said Sen. Warner. “With countries across the globe looking to profit from record demand in the coming years for commercial aircraft, competition is fierce to lead the way in developing next-generation technology. This bill lays out a blueprint for how the U.S. can lead the world in a new age of manufacturing, where we can build the safest, quietest, most-fuel efficient and environmentally friendly planes available. Virginia is home to a thriving aerospace industry with leading federal facilities such as NASA Langley, and this bill will continue to support the nation’s next-generation capabilities in this important industry.”
“We applaud Sen. Moran and Sen. Warner for introducing the Aeronautics Innovation Act and for supporting efforts of the aerospace industry to design and certify the next generation of aircraft,” said Spirit AeroSystems President and CEO Tom Gentile. “Spirit supports further collaboration between industry, NASA and other federal stakeholders. We look forward to participating in this new program.”
American industry leads the world, but we can’t maintain our competitive edge without government’s investments in science and research to feed into our innovation pipeline,” said Aerospace Industries Association President and CEO Eric Fanning. “The Aeronautics Innovation Act will provide important continuity and budget stability for aeronautics research, which helps boost our economy and strengthen our national security. We applaud Senators Warner and Moran for championing this legislation and look forward to continuing to work together to assure American technological superiority in air and space.”
“We applaud Senators Moran and Warner for introducing this bill, which supports critical innovations and recognizes the importance of aviation manufacturing in the U.S., an industry that creates over 500,000 jobs and produces over $342 billion in economic activity,” said General Aviation Manufacturers Association President and CEO Pete Bunce. “This legislation will support research in new sectors of the industry, including electric propulsion, simplified air vehicle operation and increased vertical takeoffs and landings, as well as research efforts on unmanned aircraft systems and supersonic flight. These rapidly developing initiatives will allow for safer and more efficient aviation products, provide more high-quality engineering and manufacturing jobs, further contribute to the economy and keep the U.S. competitive in the global aviation market.”
This legislation is endorsed by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Spirit AeroSystems and the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) at Wichita State University.
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