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Sen. Moran Statement on Infrastructure Bill
Aug 09 2021
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today released the following statement regarding his intent to oppose the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act:
“I joined the bipartisan infrastructure group of twenty-two senators to make certain Kansans had a seat at the table and to help negotiate a deal that doesn’t raise taxes, doesn’t spend trillions of dollars and focuses on actual, traditional infrastructure – not a Democrat wish list.
“From the beginning, I outlined the criteria needed for me to support any final outcome of the negotiations. My top priority was the bill must be paid for and, therefore, not raise the national debt. However, the new spending in the final bill adds a quarter of a trillion dollars to the national debt.
“Additionally, I hoped this bipartisan plan would dissuade Democrats from pursuing their own partisan, $3.5 trillion tax-and-spend spree. The Democrats’ plan to immediately follow this bipartisan infrastructure bill with their own spending bill significantly undermines our bipartisan effort to deliver a good outcome for the American people. Any harmful provisions we removed from the infrastructure bill will likely be included in the Democrats’ spending bill.
“Too much spending, too much debt and too much inflation. My efforts to reach a compromise were honest and sincere, and, unfortunately, we were unable to arrive at a bill I could support.”
Click HERE to Watch Sen. Moran’s Floor Remarks on Infrastructure
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – the lead Republican on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee – today reaffirmed during a U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee hearing that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is by law prohibited from providing abortion services.
“I want to draw attention to a letter I received from Secretary McDonough last week describing VA’s prohibition on abortion services as a ‘policy decision,’” said Sen. Moran. “The letter follows the Secretary’s testimony in March where he described VA-provided abortion services as a ‘regulatory matter.’ What is troubling about these statements is that VA’s prohibition on abortion services is more than a policy decision or regulatory matter, it’s the law.”
Sen. Moran’s remarks as prepared:
I want to draw attention to a letter I received from Secretary McDonough last week describing VA’s prohibition on abortion services as a “policy decision.” The letter follows the Secretary’s testimony in March where he described VA-provided abortion services as a “regulatory matter.”
What is troubling about these statements is that VA’s prohibition on abortion services is more than a policy decision or regulatory matter, it’s the law.
In 1992, Congress passed the Veterans Healthcare Act, which specifically prohibits VA from providing abortion services.
Accordingly, up until March of this year, VA’s own website stated that VA “cannot, by law, provide abortion services.”
Despite VA’s interpretation of the statutory prohibition on abortion, it has not acted or indicated that it will act on changing its long-standing policy to follow the law as written in regard to abortion. For that reason, I consider it redundant to offer an amendment on this topic that would prohibit funds in this bill to be used to pay for abortions and will not offer one at this time.
That said, it is necessary to defend life by ensuring that VA or any federal agency does not fund or perform abortions. I expect the Department to continue to follow the law and protect unborn children.
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Sen. Moran Announces New Investments to Help First-Generation College Students in Kansas
Aug 04 2021
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Appropriations Committee – today announced four U.S. Department of Education grants totaling $1,718,945 for higher education institutions in Kansas. The grants will support the Federal TRIO Talent Search Program over the next five years to identify and assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds with the potential to succeed in higher education, often as first-generation college students.
“As a first-generation college student, I recognize the challenges and uncertainties many students face when considering pursuing a college education,” said Sen. Moran. “TRIO programs are a proven and effective tool for helping disadvantaged students earn a college degree, and as a member of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over TRIO, I will continue to support programs that help our next generation of Kansans.”
Grant recipients:
- University of Kansas Center for Research, Inc. – $517,027
- Labette Community College – $271,046
- Emporia State University – $284,588
- Wichita State University – $646,284
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo met virtually with stakeholders involved in the home building supply chain, including the lumber industry, affordable housing advocates and the home building industry in Kansas and New Hampshire. The group discussed supply chain disruptions, recent price volatility, the shortage in availability of homes and potential areas for cooperation among stakeholders.
Tommy Bickimer with Home Builders Association of Kansas City and Lindsay Hicks of Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City participated in the roundtable discussion to share how the increase in lumber prices has impacted housing construction.
“The volatility in the lumber market is pricing hundreds of thousands of potential home buyers out of achieving the American dream of home ownership,” said Sen. Moran. “Supply chain shortages caused by the pandemic have driven up the price of building and buying homes and the threat of increasing countervailing duties on certain lumber imports from Canada threaten to exacerbate the situation. I appreciate the partnership of Senator Shaheen and Secretary Raimondo’s willingness to engage with industry leaders within the supply chain, including Kansas stakeholders, as we work to address the nationwide high cost of lumber and make the dream of home ownership attainable for all Americans.”
“The Biden Administration is firmly committed to tackling our housing challenges we face as we continue to build back better,” said Secretary Raimondo. “These have real implications for families in every community across the country, and we will continue to bring together stakeholders to identify potential solutions to address both short- and long-term issues. It is going to take collaboration among stakeholders to sort out bottlenecks and further strengthen the supply chain. We also need to directly grow our supply of housing in America, which is why the President has called for a historic investment to create and preserve more than 2 million affordable and sustainable homes.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic had an unprecedented impact on the home building supply chain. Challenges like supply bottlenecks and skyrocketing demand for construction materials resulted in surging prices and harmed the supply chain – affecting timber harvesters and haulers, sawmills, retail stores, home builders and ultimately Granite State families who need a safe and affordable place to live,” said Sen. Shaheen. “We felt the impact in New Hampshire, and after today’s discussion, it’s clear the ripple effect was felt across the country. I want to thank Senator Moran, Secretary Raimondo and everyone who joined this afternoon to discuss how we can bolster the construction industry in New Hampshire and throughout the nation. I look forward to working with them in the weeks and months ahead to support affordable housing.”
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) introduced legislation this week that would allow certain teachers working in Military Impacted School Districts to be eligible for the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program.
The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program allows highly-qualified STEM teachers who teach in low-income areas to be eligible for $17,500 in loan forgiveness after five years of teaching. The Defense Community Teacher Support Act would allow teachers from Military Impacted School Districts to be eligible for this program.
“Military service is family service, and our teachers are an integral part in helping the children of our servicmembers adjust to a new learning environment each time they move,” said Sen. Moran. “This legislation will help lessen the financial burden of student loans on our teachers and bring high-quality teachers to serve in schools on or near our military bases.”
To make certain military spouses are able to utilize this program, teachers do not need to teach for five years at the same school but are required to teach for five consecutive years in a Military Impacted School District to be eligible for the program.
Three school districts in Kansas would be eligible for this expansion – two support Fort Riley and one supports Fort Leavenworth.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today joined his colleagues in filing an amicus brief in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization urging the court to uphold Mississippi’s law to protect unborn babies after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
“The Supreme Court has the opportunity to faithfully interpret the Constitution and overturn a deadly precedent,” said Sen. Moran. “Mississippi’s bold stance to protect the lives of unborn children directly challenges the basis of Roe v. Wade, and I joined this brief to stand with them and the vulnerable unborn who cannot defend themselves.”
The full amicus brief can be found HERE.
Other senators signed on to the brief include Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Richard Shelby, (R-Ala.), James Inhofe (R-Okla.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), John Thune (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Joni K. Ernst (R-Iowa), Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Todd Young (R-Ind.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mitt Romney (R-Utah), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Cynthia Lummis (R-.Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala).
Additionally, 189 members of the U.S. House of Representatives also joined the brief.
Background:
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization involves a 2018 Mississippi law, the Gestational Age Act, which limits abortion to 15 weeks' gestation except in a medical emergency and in cases of “severe fetal abnormality.” Mississippi abortion clinic, Jackson Women’s Health Organization, sued the state over the law.
This fall, the Supreme Court will hear the case on the question of “whether all pre-viability prohibitions on elective abortions are unconstitutional.” The Supreme Court has not addressed this question since Roe v. Wade.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) introduced legislation this week that would allow certain teachers working in Military Impacted School Districts to be eligible for the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program.
The Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program allows highly-qualified STEM teachers who teach in low-income areas to be eligible for $17,500 in loan forgiveness after five years of teaching. The Defense Community Teacher Support Act would allow teachers from Military Impacted School Districts to be eligible for this program.
“Military service is family service, and our teachers are an integral part in helping the children of our servicmembers adjust to a new learning environment each time they move,” said Sen. Moran. “This legislation will help lessen the financial burden of student loans on our teachers and bring high-quality teachers to serve in schools on or near our military bases.
To make certain military spouses are able to utilize this program, teachers do not need to teach for five years at the same school but are required to teach for five consecutive years in a Military Impacted School District to be eligible for the program.
Three school districts in Kansas would be eligible for this expansion – two support Fort Riley and one supports Fort Leavenworth.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today released the following statement after voting against a motion to proceed on the bipartisan infrastructure legislation:
“I appreciate the bipartisan effort that is taking place to craft and negotiate an infrastructure bill. It is important we get infrastructure right, and Leader Schumer shouldn’t set arbitrary deadlines until we have a final product. I do not support moving this bill forward until we have the full legislative text.”
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.) led several of their colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden requesting a meeting with him and representatives of his cabinet to discuss the Renewable Fuel Standard and promote biofuels as a key solution for America’s energy and climate agenda. The Biden administration’s energy and climate agenda lacks meaningful consideration of biofuels, which contribute significantly to emissions reductions and energy security and serve as an important market-driver for farmers.
“We seek an audience to discuss the tremendous opportunity that biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel present to bolster affordable American energy, underpin a strong agricultural economy, and immediately lower transportation emissions using the existing consumer vehicle fleet and fueling infrastructure,” wrote the senators. “Unfortunately, the promise of homegrown biofuels and our agriculture sector appear to be woefully underrepresented in your administration’s energy, environmental, and transportation agenda.”
U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) also signed the letter.
The full letter can be found HERE and below.
Dear President Biden:
We write to request a meeting with you and members of your Cabinet regarding your energy and environmental agenda. Specifically, we seek an audience to discuss the tremendous opportunity that biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel present to bolster affordable American energy, underpin a strong agricultural economy, and immediately lower transportation emissions using the existing consumer vehicle fleet and fueling infrastructure. Unfortunately, the promise of homegrown biofuels and our agriculture sector appear to be woefully underrepresented in your administration’s energy, environmental, and transportation agenda.
You have made clear your interest in going all-in on electric vehicles (EVs) despite the outstanding costs, critical mineral constraints and related labor exploitation, electricity generation and transmission demands, consumer needs, and other unresolved aspects of this ambition. While we recognize that EVs will eventually play an increased role in America’s transportation and energy future, and that American innovation and ingenuity will overcome some of the hurdles faced by this nascent industry, we urge you to not look beyond the current generation of biofuels technology and forgo the meaningful reduction in carbon emissions they can provide. Recent studies have found corn ethanol to have 46 percent lower lifecycle emissions than gasoline[1], and proven advancements like ethanol derived from corn kernel fiber, when combined with increasingly efficient farming practices, can reduce lifecycle emissions as much as 70 percent.[2] Expanded investment in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) will further lower the lifecycle carbon intensity of biofuels, approaching net-zero or even net-negative emissions.
We hope to discuss with you immediate and intermediate steps your administration can take to feature American agriculture and biofuels as part of your energy and environmental agenda. Two foundational actions would be to direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt modern greenhouse gas modeling for renewable fuels (specifically, Argonne National Laboratory’s Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Transportation (GREET) Model) and approve long-stalled registrations for advanced, cleaner fuels. These two straightforward acts would acknowledge that modern farming practices and the domestic research and private investment spurred by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) have produced cleaner fuels and reduced emissions—an acknowledgement that would spur expanded utilization of these low carbon fuels.
Through formally recognizing the reduced carbon emissions of American biofuels and enabling greater utilization of advanced biofuels on the U.S. market, your administration can also foster expanded export opportunities to countries like the United Kingdom and India that are implementing clean fuel standards and other programs to lower their transportation emissions. Homegrown, American biofuels are a prime candidate for reducing our trade deficits, and updating EPA’s modeling and advancing fuel registrations, which can simply be done through administrative action, can help unlock this potential. Additionally, updated and current modeling across related industries and for associated feedstocks will further highlight the environmental contributions of the bio-based economy. Modern technologies should be evaluated on a level playing field, and we are confident that the many environmental and economic benefits of biotechnologies and efficient agriculture, especially biofuels, will be self-evident when scored fairly.
Further, the administration can maximize near-term emissions reductions through its support for biofuel blending infrastructure, expanding on the efforts of the Department of Agriculture. We were dismayed to see the administration first promote in its infrastructure proposal $174 billion in EV investment compared to a substantially smaller $15 billion program for which renewable fuels would be one of numerous competing technologies.[3] If the administration is serious about achieving near-term emissions reductions in the transportation sector, it should support, at a minimum, investment parity for biofuel technologies and policies like CCUS that will further lower the lifecycle carbon intensity of fuels. EPA has approved over 97 percent of the vehicles on the road today to run on E15 fuel; the administration should take aggressive action to enable millions of American drivers to reduce their emissions via higher biofuel blends, including year-round access to E15 and reducing other regulatory hurdles.[4]
Lastly, the administration should rigorously implement and enforce the RFS in accordance with Congress’ clear intent, restoring integrity to the program. Recent court proceedings have sought to undermine the RFS by expanding opportunities for oil refineries to evade their blending obligations via small refinery exemptions (SREs)[5] and by contesting the ability to sell E15 fuel year-round.[6] EPA should require SRE petitioners to prove an actual “disproportionate economic hardship” for compliance costs that are not ultimately recovered by the petitioner, and EPA should put forth robust, timely renewable volume obligations that reallocate any gallons waived by SREs. Of course, blending targets can be more easily met—and the associated credits (renewable identification numbers) more easily obtained—through the higher rates of blending afforded by year-round E15.
Mr. President, these are but a few administrative actions you can direct to further advance American energy security, expand consumer access to affordable energy, and reinforce gains in environmental stewardship, all while supporting a rural economy that looks forward to capitalizing on its full potential. We look forward to the prospect of discussing these policies with you and leaders of your administration to ensure they are quickly incorporated in your ongoing deliberations. Given the bipartisan support for biofuels and leveraging the agricultural economy as energy and environmental solutions, including the aforementioned policies, we would welcome including our Democratic colleagues in such a dialogue.
Thank you for your timely attention to these matters. We hope you will take the necessary action to utilize homegrown biofuels as an American energy solution and look forward to a productive discussion.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall, M.D. announced a $30,000 USDA Rural Development grant awarded to the city of Burden to fund an evaluation of the wastewater system to determine the necessary changes needed for the development of a financially feasible final sewer project.
“This federal investment will support Burden as it takes the necessary steps to update and improve its wastewater system,” said Senator Moran. “As a member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee with jurisdiction over USDA, I will continue to advocate for programs that improve the quality of life in our rural communities.”
“The City of Burden’s wastewater collection systems are in need of rehabilitation and repair,” said Senator Marshall. “Through this Water and Waste Disposal Predevelopment Planning Grant, Burden will be able to evaluate its wastewater collections system, reduce inflow and infiltration causing overflows, and determine the necessary improvements needed for their sewer. This vital update to Burden’s aging infrastructure will provide residents with confidence in the city’s future plans for utility improvements.”
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