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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today voted to confirm former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA):
“Our ag secretary has a big job ahead of him,” said Sen. Moran. “Farmers and ranchers in Kansas and across the country count on the USDA to assist with much-needed research, promote American products overseas to increase market access, provide rural housing services, and maintain the crucial safety net that empowers our agricultural producers to succeed. These tasks, which impact the livelihoods of millions of Americans, require strong, active leadership. I look forward to seeing Governor Perdue get to work on behalf of the ag community.”
Sen. Moran met with Gov. Perdue in February in his Washington, D.C., office to share some of the unique challenges and opportunities facing Kansas farmers and ranchers, as well as to learn more about Gov. Perdue’s background, experience and priorities.
Please click here to download an audio recording of Sen. Moran’s statement.
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MANHATTAN, Kan. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) joined Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) in recently introducing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veteran Transition Improvement Act (S. 899). The legislation would ensure veterans with a disability rating of 30 percent or higher who are hired by the VA in critical medical positions can access additional paid sick leave during their first year on the job to receive medical care related to their service-connected condition.
“I’m pleased to support legislation to assist service-disabled veterans in Kansas and across the country in the transition into the federal workforce and civilian life,” Sen. Moran said. “This legislation builds on the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act to ensure veterans who sustained wounds or injuries while defending our nation can take time off to seek medical treatment without affecting their livelihood or paycheck. Providing men and women with service-related disabilities greater flexibility to pursue medical care is a simple way to show our gratitude for protecting our freedoms.”
Since the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act – led by Sen. Moran – became law in November 2016, 104 hours of additional paid sick leave has been available to newly hired service-disabled veterans for positions in the federal government. The law currently applies to most federal agencies, but personnel occupying certain VA medical positions are not currently eligible.
S. 899 will ensure all newly hired VA physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses, chiropractors, podiatrists, optometrists, dentists and expanded-function dental auxiliaries who are service-disabled veterans will not have to face the added financial hardship of taking unpaid leave to receive necessary medical treatment. With this benefit expanded to these VA medical positions, disabled-veterans may be more incentivized to apply and fill the more than 18,000 vacancies for medical personnel across the VA health system, including 118 vacancies in Kansas.
“It is imperative that our great nation protects veterans seeking medical treatment for service-connected disabilities from discrimination or reprisal,” said American Legion National Commander Charles E. Schmidt. “Under the current Wounded Warrior Federal Leave Act, disabled veterans employed by the VA do not enjoy the same benefits as other veterans who are federal employees. Specifically, the law as currently written excludes them from participating in the paid sick leave program available to other veteran federal employees. On the behalf of our 2.2M members around the world, the American Legion strongly urges our elected officials to pass Senators Hirono, Moran and Tester’s proposed Department of Veterans Affairs Veteran Transition Improvement Act - enabling all qualified veterans in the federal workforce to participate in this important paid sick leave program.”
The VA Veteran Transition Improvement Act is also supported by the National Association of VA Physicians and Dentists (NAVAPD), Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs (NOVA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Disabled American Veterans, National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) and the Federal Managers Association (FMA).
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MANHATTAN, Kan. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today announced he is accepting applications for congressional internships in his Washington, D.C., and Kansas offices for fall 2017.
“My first experience in Washington, D.C., was working as a congressional intern,” said Sen. Moran. “Internships offer Kansas students the opportunity to learn about the legislative process and work on behalf of our great state.”
An internship in Sen. Moran’s office – focused on either policy or communications – provides a unique opportunity to work closely with Senate staff on behalf of Kansans. Legislative interns will gain a better understanding of the legislative process in the United States Congress and develop knowledge and professional skills valuable to future career pursuits. Communications internships provide a unique opportunity to learn about how political communications and the legislative process intersect, and gain practical knowledge about the inner workings of a fast-paced press office.
The Office of Senator Jerry Moran intern program is open to qualified undergraduate and graduate students – or recent graduates – who have a strong interest in public service and have achieved academic excellence.
The application deadline for fall 2017 internships is Friday, June 2, 2017. Applications can be found and completed under the “Students” section of Sen. Moran’s website at www.moran.senate.gov. Applicants should submit a completed application form, resume, academic transcript, two letters of recommendation and a cover letter explaining their interest in public service and what they hope to learn serving as an intern for Sen. Moran.
For questions, please contact Sen. Moran’s office at internships@moran.senate.gov or call 202-224-6521 and request to speak with the intern coordinator.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and U.S. Representative Roger Marshall (R-KS-01) recently introduced congressional resolutions (S. Res. 115 and H. Res. 267) to formally recognize the 100th anniversary of the First Infantry Division – officially nicknamed “The Big Red One” – based at Fort Riley, Kan.
“Americans are forever indebted to the brave soldiers of the Big Red One to whom our nation owes so much,” said Sen. Moran. “Since delivering the first Allied victory of World War I, the Fighting First has led the way on battlefields around the world. Kansans are proud to claim the First Infantry Division as their own and this anniversary is an occasion to pay tribute to the more than 13,000 soldiers who lost their lives in battle over the last century. To the fallen – and to the men and women of the Big Red One who uphold their legacy today – thank you and God bless you.”
“Since 1917 in World War I, the Big Red One has led our fighting forces and protected our nation from threats around the world,” said Sen. Roberts. “I am proud to introduce this resolution to recognize the valiant efforts of these men and women in uniform over the past 100 years and honor the lives of the 13,000 soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division who have made the ultimate sacrifice during their service to our nation. It is an honor to represent Ft. Riley and the 1st Infantry Division, and we are forever grateful for the service of the Big Red One.”
“On this upcoming anniversary, we honor and admire the tradition of leadership from the First Infantry Division,” said Rep. Marshall. “For 100 years, the Big Red One has led the way in combat, and have been an integral part of maintaining the freedoms we enjoy today. We also recognize the more than 13,000 soldiers of the Big Red One who have given their lives in the service of their country. One of the greatest honors of my job is to represent the Big Red One at Fort Riley, and we work to honor them today and every day.”
The oldest continuously serving unit of the U.S. Army, the Big Red One has led and supported our fighting forces in conflicts around the globe since World War I. Since its organization on June 8, 1917, the division’s efforts have made the difference for our armed forces as they fought bravely to protect our nation from threats, global and domestic. Those in the Big Red One who gave their lives for our freedoms are memorialized at monuments throughout the United States and Europe, including Normandy, France, overlooking Omaha Beach and sites in Belgium and the Czech Republic. You can find the full text of the Senate resolution here and the House resolution here.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) released the following statement regarding U.S. military strikes against the Assad regime in Syria:
“Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s violation of international law with the continued use of chemical weapons has resulted in the deaths of innocent civilians, further demonstrating the Syrian regime’s disregard for humanity. Our nation is fortunate to have capable U.S. Armed Forces who dutifully fulfill their mission when called upon. The president must work with Congress and present to the American people a strategy that outlines clear goals and the means necessary to achieve them.”
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) released the following statement after voting to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch to the United States Supreme Court:
“Judge Gorsuch’s judicial career demonstrates his impartiality and fairness. He is eminently qualified to serve on the United States Supreme Court, and his record has earned him broad, bipartisan support. During my meeting with him last month, we spoke about some of the rulings he made presiding in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals, which includes Kansas, and his commitment to upholding the rule of law. Judge Gorsuch belongs on the highest court, and I voted to take the measures necessary to secure his confirmation. I look forward to seeing Judge Gorsuch take his seat on the bench.”
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Senate Commerce Committee Passes Sen. Moran’s Made in America Manufacturing Communities Act
Legislation Aims to Revitalize the Kansas Manufacturing Sector
Apr 06 2017
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – co-founder of the Senate Competitiveness Caucus – yesterday voted to advance the Made in America Manufacturing Communities Act (S. 701) through the Senate Commerce Committee. Sen. Moran last month joined a bipartisan group of members of Congress to introduce this legislation, which would help create more good-paying manufacturing jobs in Kansas communities and across the nation.
“Kansas manufacturers play a crucial role in our state’s success,” said Sen. Moran. “Manufacturing drives innovation, provides good-paying jobs and yields quality products that are in demand at home and internationally. Furthermore, public-private partnerships are important for the ability to compete on a national and global scale. I am proud to support this legislation to allow Kansas communities to grow their manufacturing capabilities and foster steady careers for future generations of Kansans.”
The Made in America Manufacturing Communities Act would codify into law the Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP), a successful program that is administered by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) and allows communities around the country to compete to receive preferential consideration for federal economic development funds. Under the legislation, communities would bring together at least one institution of higher education, one private sector entity, and one government entity, as well as other key stakeholders, to apply for a “manufacturing community” designation. This designation will give the community additional consideration when applying for economic development assistance from participating federal agencies.
S. 701 encourages a regionally-driven approach to strengthening the manufacturing industry. In order to earn the “manufacturing community” designation, communities must demonstrate the significance of manufacturing in their region and develop strategies to utilize their “manufacturing community” designation by making investments in six areas:
- Workforce training and retraining;
- Advanced research;
- Infrastructure and site development;
- Supply chain support;
- Promotion of exports and foreign direct investment; and
- Operational improvement and capital access.
The “South Kansas Manufacturing Community,” comprised of 27 counties in south-central and southeast Kansas, is one of 24 communities nationwide that benefitted from targeted investment to spur competitiveness in the manufacturing sector. This effort was led by Wichita State University in conjunction with area manufacturers. The program’s future is uncertain without this authorizing legislation, and this bipartisan bill would make certain the South Kansas Manufacturing Community – and other potential locales around the state – can continue to revitalize its manufacturing sector, remain competitive throughout the 20th century, and support Kansans with good-paying jobs.
S. 701 was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and is sponsored by Sens. Moran, Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Angus King (I-Maine) and Susan Collins (R-Maine). The full text of S. 701 is available here.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has authorized emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands located in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas to help ranchers impacted by the wildfires.
“Ranchers need every available acre of grass to feed the surviving cattle,” said Sen. Moran. “Allowing emergency grazing of CRP acres will give producers additional options as they search for grassland for their livestock. I appreciate USDA’s continued attention on relief efforts and will continue to urge them to utilize every tool available to assist families devastated by the fires.”
USDA Acting Deputy Secretary Michael L. Young issued a memorandum authorizing the emergency grazing of cattle by ranchers. Click here to read the details of the authorization.
Sen. Moran recently met with Acting USDA Secretary Michael Young to discuss the challenges facing farmers and ranchers impacted by the wildfires.
According to USDA, estimated damages thus far for Kansas:
- Counties affected include Clark, Comanche, Ellis, Ellsworth, Ford, Hodgeman, Kiowa, Lane, Lincoln, Meade, Ness, Russell and Seward;
- An estimated 630,000 acres burned, primarily pasturelands;
- Estimated livestock loss: between 3,000 and 9,000 head of cattle;
- Large volumes of hay and feed destroyed; and
- Estimated cost of fencing destroyed exceeds $36 million.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today praised unanimous U.S. Senate passage of the Veterans Choice Program Improvement Act. The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.), John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.). The bill would preserve the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans Choice Program, which would help to ensure veterans have access to timely care in their own communities.
