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Sen. Moran: "There is Clearly Something Wrong at the FAA"
Asks Administrator Huerta to come back and provide additional information and explanation for "the circumstance we now find ourselves needlessly in"
Apr 23 2013
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) stated that the lack of timely information being shared with Congress and the American people about FAA furloughs is evidence that “there is clearly something wrong at the FAA.” Sen. Moran said he will demand answers from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta as to why he was less than forthcoming about the timing of the furloughs at last week’s Senate hearings on the topic.
The Obama Administration’s announcement that FAA furloughs would begin on Sunday – and force delays at airports across the country – came just hours after Sen. Moran questioned Administrator Huerta in last Thursday’s Senate Appropriations Subcommittee regarding Transportation hearing on FAA sequestration cuts. Sen. Moran’s remarks were made today at the weekly Senate Republican Leadership Press Conference.
Highlights from Sen. Moran’s remarks can be found below, along with links to video and audio downloads.
Sen. Moran: “There is clearly something wrong at the FAA. To have an administrator appear before the committee of jurisdiction this past week, to have him appear before the subcommittee that is responsible for his appropriations, and despite the questioning by Senator Collins, not to report what he would then announce the next day, tells me something is totally wrong at the FAA.”
“For him to only make this decision known to the airlines and to the traveling public on Friday when the furloughs were to begin on Sunday, tells me something is terribly wrong at the FAA. I think this is a manifestation of what we saw in the ending of the contract tower program. Any business that is faced with slightly less revenues than expected would find a way to solve that problem without inconveniencing their customers. Apparently the mindset at the FAA, the Department of Transportation, and within this Administration is, ‘let’s do things in a way that is most inconveniencing to our customers, the flying public, because that then creates political pressure for a response from Congress.’
“There is no need for this – the Department has the authority needed to make the decisions necessary to prioritize. In fact, Administrator Huerta, indicated that…I asked him, ‘wouldn’t it be smarter to utilize the unobligated balances than to eliminate the contract tower program?’ His answer was that he didn’t have the authority to do that. I don’t think that’s true, but my point to the Administrator was, ‘that’s exactly what we attempted to give you, was the authority to do that.’ And the Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood indicated that the Administration opposed that amendment, that policy. So again, something is clearly wrong at FAA. And I am going to ask Senator Murray and Senator Collins to ask Mr. Huerta to come back and provide additional information and explanation for the circumstance we now find ourselves needlessly in.”
YOUTUBE: Click here to watch his remarks on YouTube.
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On Tuesday, April 23, 2013, Sen. Moran hosted a conference call to discuss the handling of Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) disproportionate sequestration cuts. He addressed the Department of Transportation's (DOT) short-sighted decisions to close 149 FAA Contract Control Towers and furlough air traffic controllers.
Sen. Moran Honors Don Concannon
Apr 22 2013
I also wish to speak this evening about a Kansan who recently died and pay tribute to his life. My tribute this evening is to Don Concannon. Don Concannon of Hugoton, KS, is an example of a life I admire and respect so much. He exemplifies so much the folks from my home State of Kansas. It is a tribute to the folks at home who get so involved in their local communities. They volunteer at school. They serve on their church board. They get involved in public service. Kansans are always looking for ways to improve the lives of those around them, their friends and neighbors and people they don’t even know. One of those Kansans is our former Republican Party State chairman, Don Concannon. We have lost a great man, a strong advocate and a dedicated public servant when Don recently passed away.
Don grew up on a farm in southwest Kansas and graduated from Garden City High School in 1945. Early on in life, Don began serving our country when he joined the U.S. Navy and fought in the South Pacific during WWII. After the war, Don graduated from Washburn Law School in 1952 and moved to Hugoton to practice law. It didn't take long for him to get involved in his new community because one month after his arrival, Don was elected Stevens County Attorney and went on to serve the county for four years in that role. That same year, Don married Patricia June Davis and spent the next 49 years by her side before her passing in 2001. Don later re-married his wife of the past ten years, Sharon Collins.
As a young man, Don became interested in politics and at the age of 32, Don was elected Chairman of the Kansas Young Republican Federation. The following year, Don served as Chairman of the Kansas Presidential Electors for the presidential election between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Then, from 1968-1970, Don served as the Chair of the Kansas Republican Party. His zeal for politics never faded and kept him involved for many years--chairing committees in support of his favorite candidates. He even put his name on the ballot one year for Governor but fell short by just 530 votes in the primary.
As a long-time Kansas resident, Don was well known and respected by many throughout our state, but especially in Southwest Kansas. He was a strong advocate for rural Kansas and the special way of life we enjoy in small communities across our state. Through his service on several committees focused on the future of rural Kansas, Don helped make certain the next generation can return to the towns and communities they call home. From his participation in Kansas politics to his public service career, Don was always looking for ways to serve his fellow Kansans and improve their lives. In recognition of that service, Don was awarded a lifetime achievement award by Washburn Law School in 2010.
His family and friends described him as someone whose generosity, enthusiasm, and overall optimism towards life touched the lives of so many. It has been said that Don had the character of “one in a million,” and that he did not “just participate in life, but made life happen.” Don had the unique ability to connect with just about anyone, but he was especially revered by his family and friends who looked up to him in many ways. Don lived each day to its fullest and his commitment to his fellow man serves as an inspiration.
I extend my heartfelt sympathies to his wife, Sharon, his son, Craig, his daughter, Debra, and his many grandchildren. I know they loved him dearly and will miss him greatly. I ask my colleagues and all Kansans to remember the Concannon family in your thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Pat Roberts and Jerry Moran introduced legislation to protect Kansans from the threat of dangerous natural gas explosions by allowing states to monitor underground natural gas storage in the absence of federal action.
“It’s been over 10 years since we lost two lives to a gas explosion in Hutchison, and the federal government is still nowhere to be found.” Roberts said. “This threat is real. Our first priority is to protect Kansans from harm. We need strong oversight in the storage of natural gas reserves, and in the absence of federal leadership the state must be allowed to step up and protect its people. Inaction opens the door for a real tragedy, so we must act and put our faith in the people on the ground to protect their families, friends and neighbors.”
“This legislation fills a void by allowing states to step in when the federal government fails to monitor natural gas storage sites,” Sen. Moran said. “Our country’s citizens should be protected from the threat of explosions, and this common-sense approach puts safety first.”
At issue is a 2009 District Court ruling that determined Kansas, through the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC), could not monitor its own storage fields if the gas in those facilities is in interstate transportation.
In the four years since the ruling, the state has been barred from inspecting storage sites, and the federal government, specifically the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has failed to act.
In Kansas, there are 11 interstate underground storage sites containing over 270 billion cubic feet of gas.
Senator Roberts and Moran’s legislation will allow states to monitor the wellbores in interstate underground gas storage facilities. A state’s inspection plan may be approved by Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
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Sen. Moran and U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs Host State of Veteran Entrepreneur Roundtable
"They fought to provide us with the American Dream, and now we need to make certain they have the opportunity to live the American Dream."
Apr 18 2013
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) along with U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) and Ranking Member Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) hosted a roundtable to discuss the state of veteran entrepreneurship across the country.
Participants at the informal discussion included several veteran business owners and representatives from other organizations. Specifically, Karl Monger, GallantFew Executive Director, Wichita, Kan.; Dali Rivera, Elite Revolutionary Solutions Owner; Blake Hall, Troop ID Founder and CEO; Michele Markey, Kauffman FastTrac Vice President; Tak Lo, Techstars Associate; Rhett Jeppson, Small Business Administration Associate Administrator; and Davy Leghorn, National Economic Commission Assistant Director and The American Legion.
Topics included:
- The state of existing federal government programs and the ability to conduct outreach to veterans and those still serving in the Armed Forces
- Ideas on how current programs may be improved to better support veteran entrepreneurs
- Programs that assist veterans and the success of veterans who have or have not used existing programs to launch their own businesses
- Gaps or issues not being addressed by current programs and workforce for veteran entrepreneurs
“Veterans in Kansas, as well as across the country, face challenges when they return from service,” Sen. Moran said. “While the VA has often been focused on job training and employment, our veterans are also great businessmen and women and we want to explore the opportunity for them to start a business. Today, we heard from veterans — mostly veteran entrepreneurs — to figure out if there is a way we can help whether through the private sector, veterans’ organizations, or individually. They fought to provide us with the American Dream, and now we need to make certain they have the opportunity to live the American Dream.”
To learn more about the participants and organizations who contributed to the roundtable, visit: GallantFew, Troopswap & TroopID, Maestro Blocks, TechStars, Kauffman Foundation FastTrac Veteran’s Initiative, Small Business Administration, and The American Legion.
FTP LINK: Click here to download B-Roll and an interview clip from Sen. Moran. (Save to your desktop.)
YOUTUBE: Click here to watch his remarks on YouTube.
Sen. Moran Statement on Air Traffic Controller Furloughs, Forced Airport Delays
"The Administration's insistence on deliberately inconveniencing air travelers instead of prioritizing their safety falls in line with its history of putting politics before common sense...They do have flexibility when it comes to sequestration."
Apr 18 2013
Casey, Moran, Cartwright, Wittman Introduce Bill to Give Tax Credit to Military Spouses
Legislation Would Defray Cost Of Renewing Or Transferring A Professional License
Apr 18 2013
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), Congressman Matt Cartwright (D-PA), and Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA) announced that they have introduced the Military Spouses Job Continuity Act, legislation that would help military spouses more easily re-enter the workforce by offering a tax credit to any military spouse who has to renew or transfer a professional license due to a military Change of Station order.
“When a military family is asked to move as part of their service to our country, the government should doing everything possible to make that transition seamless,” Senator Casey said. “This tax credit would reduce one of the burdens military families face when they move. Congress should pass it right away.”
“Our men and women in uniform are only as strong as the families who support them,” Sen. Moran said. “Military spouses deserve the opportunity to seamlessly transition employment and continue working in their licensed career fields when moving across state lines. The Military Spouse Job Continuity Act reduces military families’ financial burdens due to relocation by offering a tax credit to military spouses who must renew or transfer professional licenses.”
“These men and women uproot their families and relocate in order to meet the needs of our national defense. In the process, military spouses face tremendous hardship and often have to put their careers on hold,” Rep. Cartwright said. “This legislation only addresses some of the many sacrifices made by our nation’s military spouses, but in a time when our economy is struggling, jobs are scarce, and people are having trouble making ends meet, this legislation would alleviate burdens on families whose service keeps our nation safe.”
“Our all-volunteer force is built around strong families that share the sacrifices of deployments and frequent moves. I am pleased to continue and promote this commitment to the men and women that serve our nation by easing the burden as spouses work to maintain the professional credentials they have strived hard to acquire. This bill is a small but important step in our efforts to strengthen our military, our families, our economy and our nation,” Rep. Wittman said.
More than 1.1 million active duty service members in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps and Navy received Change of Station orders from 2008 to 2009. With the frequency of Change of Station orders, most military spouses are already limited to career paths that allow them to follow their spouse. This legislation decreases this barrier for military spouses after relocation and helps them more easily re-enter the workforce by providing a tax credit of up to $500 when a military family moves across state lines.
The tax credit would be applicable for the renewal or transfer of a professional license in a range of fields including child care, nursing and health services, all of which are common occupations of military spouses. Approximately 85 percent of military spouses either work, or desire to work, outside the home and nearly 35 percent of these require licenses or certification. At the end of 2012, there were 27 states that moved toward “state-to-state transfer of credentials” best practice legislation, made policy changes, or showed where the state has policy supporting the desired outcome
The bill is endorsed by the National Military Family Association, the Military Officers Association of America, the National Guard Association, and the Military Spouse JD Network.
The National Military Family Association: “We appreciate your leadership by introducing the Military Spouse Job Continuity Act. Our Association was pleased to work with your office to draft this important legislation for military families. Military spouses are financially disadvantaged by government ordered moves and your legislation helps offset the expense to obtain a new license or credential when a military family is relocated to a new duty station. Often a military spouse must obtain a new license in the new state before they can begin to work, which puts an additional strain on the family finances. Your legislation will greatly reduce the financial burden military spouses’ face when they move from state-to-state.”
The Military Officers Association of America: “MOAA applauds Senator Casey’s strong support of the Military Spouse Job Continuity Act of 2013,” MOAA President and CEO Norb Ryan said. “By allowing a $500 credit against income tax for amounts paid by military spouses for new state licenses, this bill alleviates some of the financial burden military families face from frequent moves from duty station to duty station in different states.”
National Guard Association of the United States: “NGAUS strongly supports the Military Spouse Job Continuity Act which will go a long way in easing the ongoing career disruptions experienced by our military spouses whose indispensable support of the military and our country must never go unrecognized. They also serve.”
Additional congressional cosponsors include, Senators: Tester (D-,MT), Begich (D-AK), Mikulski (D-MD), Sanders (D-VT), Blumenthal (D-CT), Schatz (D-HI), Boxer (D-CA), Lautenberg (D-NJ), Coons (D-DE), Roberts (R-KS), Blunt (R-MO), and Collins (R-ME).
