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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture – today voted in favor of the Conference Report to accompany H.R. 2, the Farm Bill, which passed the United States Senate 87-13.
“Kansas farmers and ranchers need the certainty of a five-year Farm Bill,” said Sen. Moran. “Times have been tough in ag communities – the weather has not been our friend this year, and commodity prices are down. Escalating trade tensions have also caused a strain on Kansas’ ag economy. This Farm Bill, which protects crop insurance, will be helpful to ag producers by strengthening the farm safety net and encouraging responsible land stewardship through conservation programs.”
“I’m pleased the Conference Report included my Emergency Conservation Program provisions to increase the amount of assistance in times of disaster and allow payments for fences to be made in advance,” continued Sen. Moran. “The bill also supports key rural development initiatives, including a pilot program within USDA to bolster broadband deployment. I urge the House to quickly pass this Conference Report and get it to the president’s desk for signature.”
Items to Note:
- The Farm Bill Conference Report passed today includes an amendment led by Sen. Moran to allow advance payments through the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) for farmers and ranchers to replace fences following natural disasters. Sen. Moran’s amendment carries no cost.
- This bill also contains Sen. Moran’s proposal to more than double the amount of ECP assistance a landowner is able to receive when rebuilding from a disaster. These provisions reflect legislation Sen. Moran introduced in 2017 and were drafted based on input from Kansas ranchers following devastating fires in March 2017.
- The Farm Bill also addresses a number of Sen. Moran’s priorities in expanding rural broadband access for Kansans. This legislation prevents the federally-subsidized overbuilding of broadband infrastructure in an effort to more strategically use taxpayer dollars to close the digital divide.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works – released the following statement after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced a proposal to better define “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) that clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act:
“It is critical that we work to protect our wetlands and waterways for future generations. The proposed WOTUS rule aims to promote clean water, while providing clarity to stakeholders on EPA’s jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. This provides a welcome change from the overreaching Obama-era WOTUS rule by providing a sensible, clear definition that will result in better utilization of resources and cut red tape for Kansas producers. I will work with the administration to make certain its implementation works for farmers, ranchers and other stakeholders.”
Items to note:
- The proposed rule would provide clarity and consistency for farmers, ranchers and other stakeholders across the country, specifically regarding the limits and jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. More information about the proposed rule can be found here.
- The EPA will take comment on the proposal for 60 days. More information about submitting comments to the agencies regarding the proposed rule can be found here.
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Sen. Moran Secures DOT Grant for Hays
Dec 07 2018
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee – announced that the City of Hays was awarded $6.05 million by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for infrastructure improvements along U.S. 183. These funds have been released as part of a new USDOT grant program, known as Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development (BUILD), which places greater emphasis on rural infrastructure than prior federal transportation grant programs.
“Hays is a growing community that is critical to our state, and I was pleased to help secure federal funding to maintain and improve its surface infrastructure,” said Sen. Moran. “I will continue working with my colleagues and local leaders to build on this progress and to advocate for more federal dollars to return to Kansas for improvement projects right here at home.”
Item to Note:
- In July, Sen. Moran sent a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao in support of this project.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee – today released the following statement in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) investigation into whether any carriers violated the Mobility Fund Phase II reverse auction’s mapping rules:
“As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, I have repeatedly expressed serious concerns regarding the accuracy of the eligibility map for the FCC’s Mobility Fund Phase II auction. Through working with partners like the Kansas Farm Bureau, we were successful in convincing the FCC to take important steps to improve the quality of the data through a bolstered challenge process, and today’s action follows our demands that the FCC look more closely at the coverage data originally submitted to the agency. It is absolutely critical that the Commission remains focused on ensuring that our limited universal service funds are effectively and accurately targeted to areas that lack unsubsidized 4G LTE service.”
The Mobility Fund II would allocate up to $4.53 billion over the next 10 years in support of mobile wireless broadband expansion. The current map shows many areas of Kansas to be covered, when on-the-ground experience suggests otherwise. In May, the FCC extended the challenge process for the map of eligible areas for Mobility Fund Phase II support to 90 days, in response to legislation and a letter led by Sens. Moran, Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Maggie Hassan (D-N.H).
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee – announced that the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City was awarded a $13.8 million grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation for its Turner Diagonal Project. This grant will help fund the replacement of the existing interchange at Interstate 70 and Turner Diagonal with a more efficient diverging diamond interchange.
“This grant will help expedite the Turner Diagonal project to create a safer and more efficient interchange, to help facilitate economic growth and to attract commercial activity to the area,” said Sen. Moran. “This project is estimated to create 2,500 jobs and generate over $3 billion in economic growth for the area over the next several years, further highlighting the importance of surface transportation to expanding the workforce in our metropolitan areas. I will continue working with my colleagues and local leaders to build on this progress and to advocate for more federal dollars to return to Kansas for infrastructure projects right here at home.”
Item to Note:
- In May, Sen. Moran and Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) sent a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao in support of this project.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies – today released the following statement after the president nominated William Barr to serve as the next United States Attorney General:
“As Chairman of the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, I hope for a swift confirmation process that will allow the next Attorney General to participate in the FY2020 budget and appropriations process. The role of Attorney General, as our nation’s head law enforcement official, is vital to promoting and protecting the rule of law. A Senate-confirmed Attorney General is needed to make certain the Justice Department is sending a consistent and clear message regarding its funding and the resources our law enforcement need to effectively perform their jobs. Additionally, given the evidence of Russian interference in our elections, I have long supported the special counsel investigation and I expect the nominee to let the investigation continue unimpeded.”
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Sen. Moran Calls for Inspector General Investigation into VA’s Failure to Pay Veterans Full Benefits
Dec 06 2018
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in calling for a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Inspector General investigation into allegations that the VA would not reimburse veterans for missing or underpaid benefits.
“The VA must make every effort to restore confidence with veterans by delivering the care and benefits they have earned,” said Sen. Moran. “The technical and staffing shortages that caused these significant problems with the implementation of the Forever GI bill must be resolved immediately. Any further delay is unacceptable and will burden those veterans impacted who deserve a VA that is worthy of their service and sacrifice.”
The letter was also signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Doug Jones (D-Ala.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), and Todd Young (R-Ind.), and U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.).
Full text of the letter can be found here and below.
November 30, 2018
The Honorable Michael J. Missal
Inspector General
Department of Veterans Affairs
810 Vermont Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20571
Dear Mr. Missal:
We are writing to request an investigation into allegations that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will withhold retroactive payments for missed or underpaid monthly housing stipends that it failed to pay veterans during delayed implementation of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Education Assistance Act (P.L. 115-48), known as the “Forever GI Bill.”
According to NBC News on November 28, 2018 (“Veterans Affairs Dept. tells Capitol Hill it won't repay underpaid GI Bill benefits recipients”), VA officials told congressional staff that making retroactive payments to veterans for missed or underpaid housing stipends would not be possible because it would create auditing challenges for the VA and delay future claims processing. That decision would be contrary to law and leave an estimated 360,000 veterans robbed of the benefits owed to them.
We understand that Under Secretary for Benefits Paul Lawrence, in testimony before the House Veterans Affairs Committee yesterday, sought to clarify the VA’s position by stating that every veteran will be made whole, including with retroactive payments, for their housing benefits. However, it remains unclear if VA intends to provide retroactive payments to veterans for housing stipends based on rates that they were legally entitled to beginning August 1, 2018, or if the VA only intends to make veterans whole based on the rates as they existed before the law took effect—and remain in violation of existing law.
It is important that VA fix the technical and staffing shortages that contributed to its inability to implement the Forever GI bill so that it can continue to provide housing stipends to veterans. However, we remain resolved that VA make veterans whole for any missed or underpaid benefits based on the housing stipend rates that they were legally entitled to when the changes took effect in August 2018. The VA’s continued ambiguity about whether it will fulfill this legal requirement threatens to erode our veterans’ confidence in the VA’s ability to deliver promised care and benefits and demands close oversight and accountability.
In an effort to help us better understand VA’s plan to provide complete relief to those veterans impacted by the delayed implementation of the Forever GI Bill, we request your assistance to answer the following:
- Does the VA intend to apply the August 1, 2018, housing stipend rates, as required by law, for retroactive payments to eligible beneficiaries?
- If not, under what legal authority would the VA withhold retroactive payments based on the rates required in the Forever GI Bill?
- Who will be responsible for determining which veterans can receive retroactive payments for missed or underpaid benefits, including adjusted housing stipend rates that took effect on August 1, 2018?
- How and when will VA process these retroactive repayments to eligible veterans?
- How, if at all, have IT infrastructure investment decisions at VA’s regional processing centers contributed to the current delay in implementing the changes required by the Forever GI Bill, including missed or underpayments owed to veterans?
- How, if at all, have staffing shortages at VA’s regional processing centers contributed to the current delay in implementing the changes required by the Forever GI Bill, including missed or underpayments owed to veterans?
- How, if at all, is VA leadership organized and prepared to address IT infrastructure investment challenges at its regional processing centers in its fiscal year (FY) 2020 budget request?
- How, if at all, is VA leadership organized and prepared to address staffing shortages across the VA system, including at the Veterans Benefits Administration that is responsible for processing claims and retroactive payments to veterans, in its FY 2020 budget request?
As always, we appreciate your support of our oversight responsibilities. Your prompt attention to this request will help us as we prepare to consider the VA’s FY 2020 budget request so that we can evaluate whether the VA has requested the appropriate resources that it needs to make timely beneficiary payments and deliver other promised care to our veterans.
We look forward to continuing to work with you throughout the review process.
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WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) spoke on the Senate floor to celebrate Coach Bill Snyder’s career as Kansas State University’s head football coach, and honored his impact on K-State, the city of Manhattan and Kansas. Coach Snyder recently announced his retirement after 27 seasons at the helm of K-State’s football program.
Click Here to Watch Remarks
Sen. Moran’s full remarks as prepared for delivery:
“Last Sunday, Kansas State University Head Football Coach Bill Snyder announced his retirement, marking the end of his 56 year career coaching football and 27 year tenure in Manhattan, Kansas.
“Coach Snyder made his debut with the K-State football program in 1989. He took the helm of a program that was known as ‘Futility U’ and ‘America’s most hapless team.’ When he arrived, the Wildcats hadn’t won a single game in the previous two seasons, and had the most losses of any Division One football team. During the now-famous press conference at the early stages of his tenure at K-State, Coach Snyder remarked that, ‘I think the opportunity for the greatest turnaround in college football exists here today, and it’s not one to be taken lightly.’
“Kansans know well today that Coach Snyder lived up to those words.
“Coach Snyder boasts a great deal of accolades in his storied career: 215 career wins, 19 bowl game appearances and two Big 12 championships – which seems especially remarkable, given the state of the program when he took over as head coach.
“Deeply engrained in Coach Snyder’s legacy is the work he’s done off the field developing young men, contributing to the community, giving back and inspiring so many. Coach Snyder’s ‘16 Goals for Success’ have served as guidelines for his players on and off the field. Snyder said that if his players followed these goals – goals such as: ‘Never Give Up,’ ‘Don’t Accept Losing,’ and ‘Eliminate Mistakes . . . then success would come.’
“His ‘16 goals’ represent his own legendary paradigm – that our work is never over and the journey to success is never really finished.
“His impact at the University and in Manhattan have reached far beyond the field, where he’s helped to increase student enrollment, boost the local economy, and fund major renovation projects across K-State’s campus that have allowed for groundbreaking work at the university. Coach Snyder’s involvement, support and close work with the Johnson Cancer Center at K-State has helped to advance the groundbreaking, scientific research being done there that will one day save lives.
“His work in the community to mentor young men and women, develop community leaders and inspire philanthropy has changed lives across our state. His focus on ‘family’ has created and contributed to a remarkable culture in Manhattan.
“Coach Snyder has had to overcome numerous challenges during his tenure as a coach, but he’s faced those with the same grit and mental toughness that he’s instilled in his players. Even while battling cancer, coach still hit the road to travel Kansas on Catbacker tours – he didn’t let anyone or anything get in the way of him meeting with the program’s most loyal fans – a large number of them rural Kansans.
“Coach’s love for traveling the state and meeting with rural Kansans is something we both share, but I think often times Kansans might be more excited to talk about football than politics. Coach Snyder repeatedly says he came to Kansas State University because of the people, stayed because of the people, and returned because of the people.
“To get to Manhattan, Kansas, you take Bill Snyder Family Highway. To go to a K-State football game, you go to Bill Snyder Family Stadium. And on your way into the stadium, you walk by a larger-than-life statue of Coach Bill Snyder. His legacy is permanently sealed in the K-State and Manhattan community.
“History will remember Coach Snyder as an incredibly successful football coach and developer of young men . . . someone with an extraordinary work ethic and a high level of integrity. I appreciate the impact Coach Bill Snyder has had at Kansas State University – his legacy will be forever enshrined there. Robba and I wish all the best for Coach, Sharon, and the entire Snyder family in this new chapter of their lives.”
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