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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) – ranking member and chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee – recently introduced legislation to make certain culturally competent mental health care for American Indian veterans is provided at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers nationwide.

Their legislation, the American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans Mental Health Act, would require each VA medical center to hire a minority veteran coordinator trained in the delivery of mental health and suicide prevention services which are culturally appropriate for Native veterans. The bill would also require each facility’s minority veteran coordinator to work in tandem with a suicide prevention coordinator to contact local tribal leadership, consult with them on mental health care delivery and provide the VA medical center director with an annual written plan for specific outreach to American Indian veterans.

“American war heroes come from every corner of our country, and as they transition out of the military, the VA must work to make certain all veterans have access to care,” said Sen. Moran. “This legislation would provide specific mental health outreach for American Indian veterans, who often live in rural or medically underserved areas, and training for VA staff to better serve veterans in the American Indian community.”

“Native veterans need assurance that they’ll get top-notch assistance when seeking earned care from VA—especially when it comes to their mental health,” said Sen. Tester. “Our bipartisan bill will ensure VA facilities in Montana and beyond are working directly with Tribes on the ground to strengthen outreach and connect more veterans with the mental health care they deserve.”

Last week, Sens. Moran and Tester led a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee hearing to discuss the VA’s efforts to address the needs of American Indian veterans across the country. During the hearing, VA officials were pressed on a variety of issues including providing culturally competent mental health care and partnering with tribes to develop suicide prevention programs specific to American Indian veterans.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-Calif.) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives. 

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) recently joined his colleagues in introducing the National Advisory Council on Indian Education Improvement Act, to give Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) greater input over federal funding discussions that impact them.

“When funding decisions are made in Washington, D.C., it’s important that tribal colleges have a seat at the table,” said Sen. Moran. “Tribal universities, like Kansas’ own Haskell Indian Nations University, should have the opportunity to share specific needs and ideas that can better help direct federal resources to our tribal colleges.”

The Department of Education’s tribal advisory group – the National Advisory Council on Indian Education (NACIE) – advises the Secretaries of Education and Interior on programs serving tribes and their members. NACIE releases an annual report, but the Department of Education does not have a process for considering NACIE’s report when developing its budget request.

Additionally, Department of Education tribal consultation sessions often do not provide the opportunity for TCU leaders to provide direct input.

The National Advisory Council on Indian Education Improvement Act would address these challenges by:

  • Requiring at least one of NACIE’s members be the president of a Tribal College or University.
  • Requiring the Secretaries of Education and Interior to consider NACIE’s annual report when preparing their budgets each year.

Text of the National Advisory Council on Indian Education Improvement Act can be found here.

This legislation was co-sponsored by Sens. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Jon Tester (D-Mon.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.). 

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) today released the following statement marking the inaugural Bob Dole Day of Service, one year after Sen. Dole’s passing:

“Sen. Bob Dole lived a remarkable life, yet always treated others with respect and kindness. Whether it was on the battlefield, in the halls of Congress, or in his personal life, Sen. Dole’s dedication to his fellow Kansans and to his country was a consistent reminder that a single person can make a difference and change the world for the better.

“Raised in Russell, Sen. Dole left Kansas to serve in World War II where he earned two Purple Hearts. He then spent a remarkable 36 years on Capitol Hill, rising to become Senate Majority Leader and leading significant legislative achievements. Known for working toward commonsense solutions over partisan ones, he became the first Kansan since Dwight D. Eisenhower to be the Republican nominee for President. On the floor of the United States Senate, I am honored to use Sen. Dole’s desk, and I am regularly reminded of his dedication to Kansans and all of his fellow Americans through his incredible life and the enduring legacy he left behind for each of us.

“To carry on Sen. Dole’s legacy of service and remember him on the anniversary of his passing, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation is holding the inaugural Bob Dole Day of Service. I hope that you will join me in honoring Sen. Dole’s life by performing an act of kindness to a loved one, friend, neighbor or stranger in your community.”

For information on the inaugural Bob Dole Day of Service, click here.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today applauded Bell Textron Inc. for winning the U.S. Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft contract. The contract with the U.S. Army is worth up to $1.4 billion.

“The U.S. Army’s decision to award this contract to Bell Textron will directly benefit the workforce in Wichita and is a testament to the vital role of Kansans in our national security,” said Sen. Moran. “As a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I have supported this critical program from day one. I will continue to use my role in the Senate to ensure that the U.S. warfighter has the necessary technology and resources to complete its mission. Congratulations to Textron CEO Scott Donnelly and the entire Textron leadership team in Wichita.”

Items to Note:

  • Textron has a significant manufacturing facility in Wichita.
  • Wichita State University’s National Institution for Aviation Research will develop composite materials for the fuselage and rotors.
  • Bell’s V280 Aircraft provides the Army with enhanced speed, range and agility and is scheduled to replace the UH-60 Blackhawk by 2030.
  • In addition to work at Textron’s Wichita facility, Spirit AeroSystems produces the aircraft’s fuselage and will see increased work in Kansas.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) today released the following statement after voting on a resolution to resolve a railway labor-management dispute:

“This labor dispute is an issue that should have been resolved between railroad companies and employees, not by Congress. However, the uncertainty and supply problems created by a shutdown would be damaging to Kansans, especially now with high inflation and ongoing supply chain issues. The country needs certainty, and the possibility of a shutdown made it necessary for Congress to take action to keep railways operating.”

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Sen. Moran Congratulates NASA, Kansas Suppliers on Successful Artemis I Launch

Moran: Sixteen suppliers across Kansas helped make Artemis I a success

Nov 18 2022

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – lead Republican on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) with jurisdiction over NASA – congratulated NASA and Kansas suppliers on the successful Artemis l launch.

“Congratulations to NASA and Kansas suppliers on a successful Artemis I launch from the Kennedy Space Center this week,” said Sen. Moran. “As the top appropriator for NASA, I have spent the last several years traveling to NASA equities and suppliers across Kansas and the nation who have spent years working to advance the Artemis Mission. To see the successful launch from the Kennedy Space Center was humbling knowing the dedication and talent that was years in the making to reach this accomplishment. Sixteen suppliers across Kansas helped make this mission a success, and many more will be involved in the years to come.”

“This week marked a new era for our nation’s space program,” continued Sen. Moran. “I look forward to continuing to support this important mission, and to see firsthand the benefits that will stem from this new exciting era of space exploration.”

In 2018 and 2019, Sen. Moran hosted then-NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine in Kansas. Earlier this summer, Sen. Moran hosted NASA Administrator Bill Nelson in Kansas.

Kansas Suppliers Connected to Artemis:

  • Fastenair Corp. – Wichita
  • MPM Inc. – Wichita
  • Pasternack Enterprises Inc. – Wichita
  • Wichita State University – Wichita
  • Wesco Aircraft Hardware Corp. – Wichita
  • Galaxy Technologies Inc. – Winfield
  • Firelake – Arrowhead NASA Services – Lawrence
  • US Bank National Association – Overland Park
  • YRC Inc. – Overland Park
  • NDT Supply Com Inc. – Lenexa
  • Mid-State Aerospace Inc. – Olathe
  • Smiths Interconnect Americas Inc. – Kansas City
  • Heartland Precision Fasteners Inc. – New Century
  • American Synthetic Rubber – Louisville
  • Aircraft and Commercial Enterprises – Derby
  • DJ Engineering Inc. – Augusta

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Roger Marshall M.D. (R-Kan.) and Congressman Tracey Mann (KS-01) today condemned the Biden administration’s recent decision to list the lesser prairie-chicken under the Endangered Species Act.

“This decision threatens to place unnecessary restrictions on farmers, ranchers, and energy producers,” said Sen. Moran. “Kansas and surrounding states are committed to preserving the lesser prairie-chicken and its habitat area and have contributed millions of public and private dollars to conservation efforts. This work has resulted in successfully conserving habitat area and increasing the population of the bird. The choice to list the lesser prairie-chicken as threatened despite voluntary, locally-driven conservation efforts will negatively impact critical industries in Kansas and will remove any incentive for similar local efforts for wildlife conservation in the future.”

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s announcement is disappointing and a reminder that this Administration favors government micromanagement of agriculture and heavy handed regulation in their war against energy producers instead of working with landowners to promote continued voluntary conservation efforts,” said Sen. Marshall. “Listing the lesser prairie chicken will hurt our state’s economy, hinder our oil and gas independence, increase utility costs, and prevent the development of renewable energy in prime Western Kansas locations.”

“In their final rule, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service first commended landowners’ voluntary efforts to increase lesser prairie-chicken populations in Kansas, and then unilaterally decided that the federal government is better equipped to address these local areas,” said Rep. Mann. “This ruling is more than another example of federal overreach - it is a proxy war on American agriculture and energy sectors that are vital to our economy. Farmers, ranchers, and landowners are the original conservationists, and the federal government should get out of their way to let them do what they do best.”

Items to Note:

  • On May 21, 2021, Sens. Moran and Marshall joined their colleagues in urging U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Deb Haaland to not list the LPC under the ESA.
  • On July 16, 2021, Sens. Moran and Marshall and Rep. Mann led a group of their colleagues in requesting a 90-day extension to the comment period for the proposed listing of the LPC.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) – ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) – today released the following statement in observance of Veterans Day:

“Each Veterans Day, we honor the men and women who have served our country, protecting the freedoms and blessings we enjoy today. There is no group of Americans I hold in higher regard than our nation’s veterans, and I take seriously the responsibility of advocating for and serving them as lead Republican on the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

“It is always an honor to speak with and learn from our nation’s veterans, and I have had the privilege of meeting with many Kansas Honor Flights during their trips to Washington, D.C. These men and women never cease to inspire me, and I am always reminded of the dedication, selflessness and love for country exemplified by America’s veterans.

“To all who have served, thank you. Our country owes you a great debt.”

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) today released the following statement congratulating Panasonic on the groundbreaking of its new manufacturing facility in De Soto:

“Congratulations to Panasonic and its entire leadership team for the historic groundbreaking in De Soto today. Panasonic’s decision to call Kansas home highlights our state’s talented workforce, innovative environment and quality of life. With the goal of making Kansas a destination for industry, defense, education, science, technology, engineering and innovation, we will keep the next generation, their knowledge and talent here in Kansas.”

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