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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today released the following statement after receiving news from the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency that the remains of Father Emil Kapaun were identified:

“This evening I was notified that the remains of Marion County-native Father Emil Kapaun, a priest of the Diocese of Wichita, have been identified. Father Kapaun served as an Army Chaplain during WWII and the Korean War, and was taken as a Prisoner of War in 1951. He continued to minister to Americans as a POW before passing away on May 23, 1951.

“In 2011, I introduced legislation to bestow Father Kapaun with the Presidential Medal of Honor, which was awarded in 2013. In 1993, Pope John Paul II declared Father Kapaun a Servant of God, the first step toward sainthood. I am glad that his family has finally been granted closure after Father Kapaun’s selfless service to our nation.”

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), ranking member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01), member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, today applauded American Legion Commander Bill Oxford’s announcement that a VA telehealth pod will be placed in Emporia to provide health care services to rural and medically underserved veterans. Expected to open by this summer as part of VA’s Accessing Telehealth through Local Area Stations (ATLAS) initiative, the ATLAS pod is equipped with technology to allow veterans to connect with their health care providers.

“As the first location in Kansas, this ATLAS pod will increase our veterans’ access to health care services, especially for those living far from VA facilities,” said Sen. Moran. “This technology will also provide an important access point for VA mental health and suicide prevention programs for Kansas veterans. Thank you to The American Legion for providing a familiar venue for this technology, Philips for facilitating the technology needed for this community-based telehealth solution and other VA ATLAS partners for working to make certain our nation’s veterans can receive quality care no matter where they live.”

“I was thrilled to hear during the Senate and House Veterans’ Affairs Committee joint hearing that the VA is going to be placing an ATLAS site in Emporia,” said Rep. Mann. “The Big First has 63 of 105 counties, and many of those areas are rural. Telehealth and convenient access to health care are imperative to the health of the First District. Thanks to Senator Moran’s leadership on the Senate VA Committee, Kansas veterans will have access to better care through the VA and its partners. As a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I am a strong advocate for our nation’s heroes.”

In 2019, Sen. Moran hand-delivered a request to then-VA Secretary Wilkie while visiting the VA Medical Center in Topeka requesting Kansas be considered for the ATLAS program. Since then, Sen. Moran has worked closely with the VA to establish an ATLAS pod in Kansas.

Commander Oxford made this announcement during a joint House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs hearing, which can be viewed here. For more information on the ATLAS initiative, please click here.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today announced two CARES Act Recovery Assistance grants to Kansas from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA). The two grants, totaling $2 million, will benefit the northwest and northeast regions of the state.

“A key component of recovering from this pandemic is building back a strong economy, and these investments and new resources for Kansas will help us accomplish that goal,” said Sen. Moran. “The grants will not only help create new jobs in our state, but also provide resources to small businesses and entrepreneurs to keep their lights on and employees on the payroll. I will continue to work with our federal agencies to make certain that Kansas is a priority when these resources are distributed, especially as our state recovers from this pandemic."

“The Economic Development Administration is committed to helping communities across the nation implement strategies to mitigate economic hardships brought on by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Dennis Alvord. “These EDA investments will grow businesses and create jobs by expanding a diesel and automotive technician training and education program in northwest Kansas and supporting the capital needs of businesses in northeast Kansas.”

Northwest Technical College in Goodland will receive $1.2 million to expand their Diesel Tech training facility, increasing their capacity to train workers to compete for high-skill, high-wage jobs and positioning the region for recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. The project, to be matched with $295,986 in local funds, is expected to create nearly 300 jobs.

The Kansas Center for Entrepreneurship in Wichita will receive $800,000 to capitalize and administer a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to provide critical gap financing to small businesses and entrepreneurs adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic in Clay, Douglas, Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Leavenworth, Lyon, Marshall, Miami, Morris, Nemaha, Osage, Pottawatomie, Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties.

Both grants are funded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which provided EDA with $1.5 billion for economic assistance programs to help communities prevent, prepare for, and respond to COVID-19.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill that would expand access to saving accounts created to help people with disabilities save for future disability-related expenses. U.S. Representatives Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (D-Wash.) introduced the House companion to the bill.

The Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Age Adjustment Act (S. 331) would increase program eligibility and allow people who have acquired a disability before age 46 to open ABLE accounts. ABLE accounts, which are managed by states, currently allow individuals who acquired a disability before age 26 to open a savings account for their disability expenses, without the risk of losing disability benefits such as Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid.

“The savings plan created through the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act has provided Americans with disabilities better options in preparing for their future by removing burdensome barriers within federal entitlement programs,” said Sen. Moran. “While the program has seen immense success, ABLE savings accounts are currently only available to individuals who acquire their disability prior to their 26th birthday, leaving out millions – including veterans – who would otherwise qualify. The ABLE Age Adjustment Act would expand the age of eligibility and help sustain this program on a long-term basis, providing substantial financial security for Americans with disabilities.”

“Before the passage of ABLE, people with disabilities had fewer opportunities to earn income compared to their working-age peers,” said Sen Casey. “People with disabilities are less likely to be employed, more likely to be underemployed and are twice as likely to live in poverty. Those factors, combined with significant penalties preventing people from saving, often put people with disabilities and their families in difficult financial situations. The ABLE Age Adjustment Act would make more than 6 million adults with disabilities, including 1 million veterans with disabilities, eligible to open ABLE accounts and help all people who acquire disabilities between 26 and 46 years of age to achieve financial independence and economic stability.”

“ABLE accounts already help thousands of Americans with disabilities live a fuller life,” said Rep. Cárdenas. “This legislation builds on that progress and eases the financial burden that many of these families face. It expands opportunities for parents to save for the future and support their families. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues.”

“People with disabilities can often expect substantial future expenses, like healthcare, while also being more likely to be underemployed or unemployed—making it difficult to create financial security for themselves and their families,” said Rep. Chu. “Fortunately, ABLE accounts help people with disabilities to start saving for those expenses when they’re young, putting them on a path to a more stable future, without jeopardizing other forms of aid they are entitled to. This simple fix will expand the eligibility to allow those with disabilities that occur later in life to also plan for their future needs.” 

“The primary goal of the ABLE Age Adjustment Act is to build on the incredible progress we’ve made to empower people with disabilities to live fuller and more independent lives,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers. “This legislation will expand access to tax-free ABLE accounts for people who develop a disability later in life. With an ABLE account, people can invest in their education, pay for medical expenses, and look for a job. When they find a job, it can even help them cover the cost of getting to work. In short, ABLE puts our focus on every person’s abilities and God-given talents, not their limitations. There is more work to be done to build on the legacy of the ABLE Act, but I’m confident this is a great step that will empower more people to live with dignity and reach their potential.”

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) today introduced the Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Coordination and Leadership Act to facilitate collaboration between federal agencies and civil aviation industry leaders when developing policies regarding advanced air mobility (AAM).

This legislation would instruct the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation to lead a working group comprised of members from nine government agencies to engage and work with the civil aviation industry. The working group would review policies and programs to help advance the maturation of AAM aircraft operations and create recommendations regarding safety, security and federal investments necessary for the development of AAM.

“American aviation is entering a new era of innovation and growth, and industry leaders should have a seat at the table as the federal government creates programs to advance the development of this technology and sets safety and operation standards,” said Sen. Moran. “Wichita leads the world in aviation, and this legislation will make certain Kansas aviation leaders have a role in developing policies designed to shape a new chapter in aviation.”

“Arizona leads in aerospace innovation, and our bipartisan legislation creates jobs that strengthen our national security and technological development,” said Sen. Sinema.

This legislation received widespread support from General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Helicopter Association International (HAI), Vertical Flight Society (VFS), Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), Airports Council International – North America, Wichita State University and Spirit AeroSystems.

“Advanced Air Mobility is an emerging sector of the aviation industry which has the potential to facilitate new transportation options, create jobs and economic activity, advance environmental sustainability and new technologies, and support emergency preparedness and competitiveness,” said Pete Bunce, GAMA president and CEO. “The Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act will ensure the federal government is effectively engaged and coordinated internally with industry and other stakeholders to help realize the broad benefits of this developing and transformative aviation sector. We are appreciative of Senator Moran and Sinema’s leadership to further advance this exciting new frontier of aviation.” 

"On-demand AAM provides a path for the U.S. to maintain its position as the world leader in civil aviation, and there are significant opportunities for general aviation and our highly skilled workforce, which is why we support this important legislation," said Ed Bolen, National Business Aviation Association president & CEO.

“Senator Moran and Sinema’s legislation takes a forward-thinking approach to intergovernmental coordination and industry collaboration on AAM policymaking,” said Jim Viola, HAI president and CEO. “Establishing an AAM working group with a representative from each of the necessary federal agencies will not only facilitate a more-effective and comprehensive regulatory framework, but it will also help the AAM industry get off the ground sooner. We thank Senators Moran and Sinema for specifically calling out the need for industry coordination in his bill, as the path to success most certainly requires industry–government collaboration.”

“Advanced air mobility has the power to enhance how we connect American communities, create jobs, and keep our nation safe,” said Eric Fanning, AIA president and CEO. “Ensuring the growth of this emerging aviation technology will require strong partnerships between government and industry. We applaud Senator Moran for taking this significant step towards establishing an intergovernmental agency group that will develop a national AAM strategy to advance U.S. global leadership and competitiveness.”

 

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) have reintroduced the Continuity for Operators with Necessary Training Required for ATC Contract Towers (CONTRACT) Act of 2021 to allow retired FAA controllers to work at federal contract towers without facing a financial penalty. Reps. Julia Brownley (D-Calif.) and Congressman Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) re-introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Currently, there are 257 air traffic control facilities participating in the FAA’s Federal Contract Tower Program. These contract towers are an important part of our national air traffic control system, serving communities through a proven public-private partnership that increases safety and improves air traffic control services while lowering the cost to the federal government.

Federal contract towers face a unique hurdle to hiring trained and well-qualified retired FAA controllers. Because FAA air traffic controllers are one of several federal employee groups whose retirement is mandated at 56 years of age, retired FAA controllers are penalized for continuing to work as controllers at federal contract towers. These experienced retired FAA employees should have the opportunity to use their skills at a federal contract tower without facing a financial penalty. This legislation would eliminate that penalty.

“Regional economies across Kansas rely on the aviation industry and our state’s eight contract towers, which play an important role in making certain air travel is safe,” said Sen. Moran. “This legislation removes an unnecessary hiring barrier and financial disincentive for air traffic controllers who have retired from the FAA, providing a simple and sensible solution to ensuring we have highly-skilled and experienced controllers working at federal contract towers and keeping skies safe across the country.”

“Fully-staffed contract air traffic control towers are vital to maintaining the safety of our national airspace system—and former FAA controllers should be able to work in contract towers without facing a financial penalty,” said Sen. Inhofe. “We should be growing our aviation workforce, not thwarting it. With the introduction of the CONTRACT Act, we have the opportunity to ensure these important facilities, including the six contract towers in my state of Oklahoma, are fully-staffed with the most qualified, trained individuals available.”

“Contract air traffic control towers are an essential part of ensuring safe air travel in Washington state and across our country,” said Sen. Murray. “We need to make sure they are staffed with the most qualified individuals to help keep our skies safe, which is why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this commonsense bill to remove unnecessary staffing barriers and help our air traffic control towers in Spokane and across Washington state attract the most experienced controllers.”

“Ventura County airports play a key role in our region’s economy. Keeping all of our air traffic control towers open and fully staffed is critical for safety and helps our airports serve businesses and aviation enthusiasts in our region,” said Rep. Brownley. “This bill will ensure that FAA air traffic controllers, who choose to continue to work after the mandatory FAA retirement age of 56, can help us meet staffing needs at contract towers without losing their hard-earned retirement benefits. I want to thank Congressman Davis for co-authoring this important bill, and I look forward to working with our Senate colleagues, including Senators Jim Inhofe, Jerry Moran, and Patty Murray, to move the bill through the legislative process.”

“Small airports across the nation use contract towers to keep our airways safe, but are facing difficulties recruiting and retaining air traffic controllers,” said Rep. Davis. “This legislation will address this problem by allowing retired controllers to receive their full Social Security annuity payment while working at contract towers. Ensuring contract towers are adequately staffed is critical to their ability to maintain safety and continue operations. Additionally, these rural and suburban airports are often integral parts of the local economy and any reduction in controller capacity could have a negative economic impact.”

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) led his colleagues in calling on the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to oppose the imposition of countervailing duties on phosphate fertilizers from Morocco, a product U.S. farmers rely on to produce a variety of crops, including corn, soybeans, cotton, wheat, sorghum, sugar beets and fruits and vegetables.

In July 2020, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced a countervailing duty (CVD) investigation into imports of phosphate fertilizers from Morocco, which could result in the imposition of duties. The ITC Commission decided to continue the investigation in August, with a final determination from the ITC expected this month.

“We write in opposition to the countervailing duty (CVD) petition filed on June 26, 2020 against the import of certain phosphate fertilizers and urge the U.S. International Trade Commission to reject the imposition of duties in its final injury determination (Inv. No. 701-TA-650-651),” the Senators wrote. “The imposition of duties between 9.19 and 47.05 percent on phosphate fertilizers would result not only in higher input costs for U.S. farmers but also potentially limit their options for applying necessary crop inputs. Given the unprecedented volatility experienced in the agricultural economy over the past three years, it is especially important to avoid imposing unnecessary duties that will further limit fertilizer options and raise the cost of production for farmers.”

The letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Todd Young (R-Ind.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and Ben Sasse (R-Neb.). The letter received wide-spread support, including from the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers Association, National Cotton Council, American Soybean Association, National Taxpayers Union and Americans for Tax Reform.

Sen. Moran previously led his Senate colleagues in calling on Chairman Kearns and then Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross to not impose tariffs on phosphate fertilizers in August 2020.

The full letter can be found here or below.

The Honorable Jason E. Kearns, Chair
U.S. International Trade Commission
500 E Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20436

Dear Chair Kearns,

We write in opposition to the countervailing duty (CVD) petition filed on June 26, 2020 against the import of certain phosphate fertilizers and urge the U.S. International Trade Commission to reject the imposition of duties in its final injury determination (Inv. No. 701-TA-650-651).

U.S. farmers depend on phosphate fertilizers to produce a variety of crops, including corn, soybeans, cotton, wheat, sorghum, sugar beets, and fruits and vegetables. Phosphorous is the second most widely used plant nutrient and accounts for approximately 20 percent of total fertilizer usage for producers. While U.S. farmers value domestic supply, U.S. production is highly concentrated. Multiple sources of phosphate products help to ensure the reliability of supply and to meet the logistical needs of farmer customers around the country. Indeed, up to a third of domestic phosphate fertilizer demand is typically supplied by imports. 

U.S. farmers experienced increasingly inadequate supplies of domestically produced phosphate fertilizers during the 2017-2019 period under the Commission’s investigation. Shortages of phosphate fertilizers were observed after the 2017 closure of the Plant City, Florida manufacturing facility. Likewise, in late 2019, production was reduced at other Florida facilities and a processing plant in Louisiana was temporarily idled. These planned supply reductions increased the need for imported product during the investigation period. 

Further, the current CVD investigation begun in 2020 has resulted in a precipitous drop in imported supply. The combined volume total of diammonium phosphate (DAP) and monoammonium phosphate (MAP) fertilizer imports in 2020 was down 35 percent compared to 2019. Despite this decrease in imports, production from the largest producer in the U.S. was reduced 2 percent for the first three quarters of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 and reported inventories were also lower. Reduced imports and lower domestic production are adversely impacting inventory rebuilding and have resulted in critically tight supplies. Available and reliable supplies of phosphate fertilizers are essential for narrow seasonal application windows. 

The imposition of duties between 9.19 and 47.05 percent on phosphate fertilizers would result not only in higher input costs for U.S. farmers but also potentially limit their options for applying necessary crop inputs. Given the unprecedented volatility experienced in the agricultural economy over the past three years, it is especially important to avoid imposing unnecessary duties that will further limit fertilizer options and raise the cost of production for farmers.

We urge the U.S. International Trade Commission to deny this petition that would impose financial harm on U.S. farmers by further disrupting and restricting the available supply of phosphate fertilizers.

Thank you for your efforts to fairly enforce U.S. trade laws and for your consideration of our views.

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Sens. Moran, Lee, Braun Introduce Legislation to Hold Big Tech Accountable

PROMISE Act would Require Transparent, Unbiased Content Moderation Policies

Mar 01 2021

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) have introduced the Promoting Responsibility Over Moderation In the Social Media Environment (PROMISE) Act, legislation to hold Big Tech companies accountable for their promises to not operate their social medial platforms with political bias.

“Social media platforms that promise to be free and open marketplaces of ideas should abide by these assurances,” said Sen. Moran. “This legislation would hold Big Tech companies accountable for not following their own content moderation policies which prevent them from unfairly discriminating against groups and individuals for their political beliefs.”

“The billionaires who own our nation’s Big Tech companies have every right to be partisan political actors,” said Sen. Lee. “They do not have the right to tell consumers that they will provide unbiased platforms, and then use those same platforms to discriminate against Americans with opposing religious, philosophical, or political viewpoints.”

“It’s wrong for Jack Dorsey, Mark Zuckerberg and others in the Big Tech community to falsely claim their platforms are unbiased and then censor conservatives, and the PROMISE Act will finally hold Silicon Valley accountable,” said Sen. Braun.

The PROMISE Act would:

  • Require a “covered entity” to implement, operate and disclose information moderation policies that explain the standards, processes and policies regarding its moderation of information provided by a user or other information content provider. Such policy must include:
    • Categories of information not permitted on its service or subject to moderation by users or the entity itself.
    • The process used in moderating content.
    • The notification process (if any) utilized to inform users of a moderation action taken, the rationale for the moderation decision and options for redress (if any).
  • Prohibit a “covered entity” from making a “deceptive policy statement” with respect to its information moderation policy. A “deceptive policy statement” carries with it a rebuttable presumption that a statement is material and likely to cause injury.
  • Make violations of the requirements to implement, operate or disclose an “information moderation policy” or to not make a “deceptive policy statement” constitute an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45(a)).

The full text of the PROMISE Act can be viewed here.

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.) and U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01), Jake LaTurner (KS-02) and Ron Estes (KS-04) joined Kansas President of the Senate Ty Masterson and Kansas Speaker of the House Ron Ryckman to call on Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to utilize available resources already provided by Congress to improve the Kansas Department of Labor’s (KDOL) response times to Kansans filing for unemployment insurance.

“The Kansas Congressional Delegation has worked steadily in good faith with KDOL staff and followed their directives regarding where to send referrals,” the GOP delegation wrote. “We are very concerned to hear your office has ignored many unemployment benefit referrals sent over by our offices. The fact of the matter is Kansans’ livelihoods have been put on the line during the upheaval caused by the department’s instability with four different leaders over the past year, the false narrative that additional federal funding will solve the current issues, and playing politics rather than problem-solving. When Kansans are getting evicted from their homes or are unable to purchase groceries and are calling for help but receiving none, it is evident something must change immediately.

“Governor Kelly, you told the State Finance Council on June 16, 2020 that you considered the Kansas unemployment trust fund to still be in a strong position, with $800 million remaining, and the federal government has consistently refilled state unemployment funds throughout the pandemic,” the GOP delegation continued. “It is not a solution to continue throwing money in a direction where the process is the problem. According to a House Oversight Committee report released on February 12, Kansas’ Executive Office still has $218 million unspent from the coronavirus relief packages passed last year, further showing Kansas is not in imminent need of additional resources.”

The GOP delegation’s full letter to the governor can be found here and below.

Dear Governor Kelly,

As we approach nearly a year since COVID-19 arrived in Kansas, we are deeply troubled by the fact that many Kansans are still facing extreme difficulties receiving their unemployment benefits from the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL). Our offices are fielding urgent pleas for assistance from constituents who, through no fault of their own, are finding themselves without the means to pay their bills. Kansans filing for unemployment benefits are often facing difficult timelines where lack of immediate assistance results in inability to put food on the table, keep a roof over their head, or pay for lifesaving medications. Kansans cannot continue to wait weeks or months before finally receiving their unemployment benefits from the state.

The Kansas Congressional Delegation has worked steadily in good faith with KDOL staff and followed their directives regarding where to send referrals. We are very concerned to hear your office has ignored many unemployment benefit referrals sent over by our offices. In addition, Kansans referred to the new KDOL assistance email address have not been receiving calls back within a week, as promised. Instead, they are being sent emails directing them to call centers where no one is answering the phones. A press release[1] issued by KDOL on February 12, 2021 stated unemployment benefits extended under the Phase IV federal relief package, which was signed into law in December, would begin being distributed no later than February 19. Unfortunately, that date has come and gone without payments being sent to all who had applied.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress in March 2020 and, among other unemployment provisions, created two major emergency unemployment benefit programs: the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program and the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program. Together, these initiatives were created specifically to avoid the situation many Kansans are now facing amidst a sluggish job market that continues to be a barrier to steady income. While the federal government was able to quickly provide guidelines and deliver funding to state governments, Kansas remained far behind in processing the unemployment benefits to bank accounts. Kansas, like several other states, was utilizing systems that had not been updated in years and, consequently, was under-equipped to handle the large amounts of processing associated with the CARES Act unemployment benefits. The Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF), another provision of the CARES Act, sent federal funding directly to states and metropolitan areas for purposes of responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency. The CRF deliberately provided state and local leaders with discretion for determining whether an expenditure from their CRF allocation is in response to the pandemic or not, instead of a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach. Using a portion of the CRF allocation to modernize outdated unemployment processing systems in order to efficiently handle the significant influx of federal unemployment benefits clearly fits within the congressional intent of being a necessary expenditure in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency under Section 5001 of the CARES Act.

The federal government acted quickly to ensure state governments had the money necessary to provide the emergency unemployment benefits to those who applied. While some states found themselves struggling immediately with low funds in their unemployment trust funds at the onset of the pandemic, Kansas was not one of them. Governor Kelly, you told the State Finance Council on June 16, 2020 that you considered the Kansas unemployment trust fund to still be in a strong position, with $800 million remaining, and the federal government has consistently refilled state unemployment funds throughout the pandemic. It is not a solution to continue throwing money in a direction where the process is the problem. According to a House Oversight Committee report released on February 12, Kansas’ Executive Office still has $218 million unspent from the coronavirus relief packages passed last year, further showing Kansas is not in imminent need of additional resources.

Given the unprecedented increase in individuals filing for unemployment, preventing fraud and identity theft needed to be a high priority to save Kansans from further stress. To address the challenges, last year the Department of Labor provided states with $100 million to combat fraud related to the unemployment benefit programs created under the CARES Act. The funding was permitted to be used to conduct fraud investigations, additional fraud detection-related services and to implement tools to increase prevention, detection and recovery of fraudulent payments in the PUA and PEUC programs. Of the $100 million allocated, Kansas received a total of $1,735,000, with $1,499,400 to be used for PUA and $285,600 for PEUC.

The last year has been incredibly difficult for unemployed Kansans, and they are right to be upset at the slow, confusing responses from KDOL. The fact of the matter is Kansans’ livelihoods have been put on the line during the upheaval caused by the department’s instability with four different leaders over the past year, the false narrative that additional federal funding will solve the current issues, and playing politics rather than problem-solving. When Kansans are getting evicted from their homes or are unable to purchase groceries and are calling for help but receiving none, it is evident something must change immediately. In order to provide our constituents with the service they deserve, we suggest a few improvements to KDOL’s current unemployment benefits referral process:

1)    Hiring or designating employees dedicated solely to answering the thousands of Kansans calling KDOL each week;

2)    Hold a weekly phone call between KDOL and staff from each congressional office to discuss any problems or needed changes;

3)    Keep at least one KDOL employee available for immediate contact regarding true hardship cases.

Again, our purpose is to ensure Kansans are receiving appropriate care and support from KDOL, which is not being accomplished by the status quo. Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to discussing our suggestions.                                                                                   

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) announced a $2.6 million CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant to Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center (NMRMC) in Chanute from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. The grant will be used to establish the Southeast Kansas Impact Center for Wellness, Education, and Business and is expected to create 256 jobs and generate $45 million in private investment.

“This grant is an investment in the people and economy of southeast Kansas, creating hundreds of jobs, improving telehealth services and providing important resources for workforce training,” said Senator Jerry Moran. “Thank you to the Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center for leading the charge on this initiative and the many health care providers and local businesses willing to work in partnership to bring this project to a reality. As the lead Republican on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, I will continue to support the ongoing and critical mission of the Economic Development Administration to assist the economic activity of our communities, especially during this pandemic.”

“The Economic Development Administration is committed to helping communities across the nation implement strategies to mitigate economic hardships brought on by the coronavirus pandemic,” said Dennis Alvord, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. “The new Southeast Kansas Impact Center for Wellness, Education, and Business will house a workforce training center that will be run in partnership with local businesses and clinic and telehealth facilities that will allow NMRMC to meet rapidly growing telehealth provider needs.”

The EDA grant will assist in the demolition of an existing, blighted former tuberculosis hospital located adjacent to NMRMC and the construction of the new Impact Center on the site. This project was made possible by the regional planning efforts led by the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission, which EDA funds to help bring together the public and private sectors to create an economic development roadmap to strengthen the regional economy, support private capital investment, and create jobs. The grant will be matched with $650,000 in local investment.

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