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Sen. Moran Visits U.S.-Mexico Border
Dec 09 2019
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies – visited the U.S.-Mexico Border in Rio Rico, Ariz. for a tour and briefing by U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
“How successful we are in securing our borders has significant consequences in the lives of Americans and Kansans,” said Sen. Moran. “I witnessed first-hand the efforts of our law enforcement to interdict drugs and stop crime at our southern border, and the need for more resources to keep our nation safe. I have long recognized our immigration system is broken, and I look forward to returning to work in Washington with first-hand knowledge of our border crisis. Thank you to all the law enforcement officers who work tirelessly to protect our borders. A special thanks to U.S. Border Patrol Acting Patrol Agent in Charge Agent Kevin Hecht and DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Apolonio “Polo” Ruiz for hosting me at the Arizona-Mexico border.”
Items to Note:
- In Arizona, Sen. Moran toured the U.S.-Mexico border with the U.S. Border Patrol and received an Operations and Drug Threat Briefing from DEA.
- In January, Sens. Moran and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) introduced legislation that would establish a $25 billion trust fund to enhance U.S. border security. The legislation would also codify protections for those individuals who, through no fault of their own, entered the United States illegally as children and are currently covered by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
- In June, Sen. Moran voted to advance the Senate Appropriations Committee’s $4.6 billion border supplemental package to provide much-needed resources to our southern border.
Sen. Moran Hosts VA Secretary Wilkie in Kansas
Dec 05 2019
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs – hosted Robert Wilkie, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, in Topeka and Kansas City to highlight the innovative work taking place at Kansas VA Medical Centers and speak directly with Kansas veterans, caregivers and advocates.
“Showing Secretary Wilkie around Kansas allowed him to learn about the unique challenges facing rural veterans,” said Sen. Moran. Throughout the visit, topics from the implementation of the VA MISSION Act to legislation I introduced to improve mental health care and increase suicide prevention programs within communities were discussed.”
Secretary Wilkie and Sen. Moran started their visit in Topeka at the Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center.
“Thank you to the Kansas VA leaders Dr. William Patterson, Director Rudy Klopfer, Director Rick Ament, Director David Isaacks, and Director Donna Meyer-Hickel for joining us from across the state, and for all the work you do on behalf of veterans,” continued Sen. Moran. “During our time at the facility, we had important conversations about how we can support our nation’s heroes by constantly improving the VA healthcare system. The Topeka VAMC’s satisfaction rates are among the highest in the country, and it was a pleasure to highlight the hardworking Kansans that make this possible for our nation’s heroes.”
Sen. Moran and Secretary Wilkie also traveled to Kansas City and met with veterans and advocates, answering questions about our work to improve the VA and provide veterans with the care and support they deserve.
“Together, we’re working hard to create a 21st century VA that is worthy of the service and sacrifice of our heroes,” continued Sen. Moran.
To hear more about the visit from Sen. Moran, watch the video regarding the visit here.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation – today announced a $7,178,799 Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for critical infrastructure improvements at the Newton City-County Airport.
“This grant from the FAA to the Newton City-County Airport will allow for much-needed infrastructure improvements, enabling the airport to support the area’s aviation needs for years to come,” said Sen. Moran. “Local airports are vital to the regional economies across Kansas, and I’m pleased to see this award go to Newton and Harvey County, allowing for continued development in the area.”
“This grant is great news for our airport,” said City of Newton City Manager Bob Myers. “This is a project we have needed for some time now, and we greatly appreciate our partners at the federal level for securing this valuable funding assistance.”
“The benefit to the community is the airfield has over 400 employees in 21 different businesses,” said Chairman of the Harvey County Commission George “Chip” Westfall. “It supplies employment for local counties, which impacts our economy, period. We have several aircraft mechanical companies out there that bring in maintenance work not just for Newton, but for all over the region, which boosts our economy.”
The $7.2 million grant will be used to reconstruct the taxiway that runs adjacent to the primary runway, allowing for the continued and expanded use of the runway by larger, heavier aircraft. According to the Kansas Department of Commerce, the airport generates $157 million in economic impact to the local economy each year. More information on this and other AIP grants can be found here.
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Sen. Moran Cosponsors Legislation to Support Air Traffic Controllers
Bill would eliminate hiring barrier for eight contract towers in Kansas
Nov 20 2019
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation – joined U.S. Senators Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.) in introducing S. 2898, the Continuity for Operators with Necessary Training Required for ATC Contract Towers (CONTRACT) Act of 2019. Today, there are 256 air traffic control facilities participating in the FAA’s Federal Contract Tower Program, including Garden City, Hutchinson, Manhattan, Salina and two locations in Olathe and Topeka. 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 and the American taxpayer.
“I’m proud to support our aviation industry by introducing legislation to remove an unnecessary barrier in the hiring pipeline for contract towers,” said Sen. Moran. “This sensible legislation would support contract towers across the nation, including the eight located in Kansas, by removing a financial disincentive which is preventing highly-skilled, experienced controllers from working at federal contract towers upon their retirement at the FAA.”
“I am proud to introduce the CONTRACT Act today to encourage trained and qualified FAA Controllers to work at a contract tower without worry they will lose their hard-earned money,” said Sen. Inhofe. “This legislation will ensure these important facilities, including the six contract towers in my state of Oklahoma, are staffed with the most qualified, trained individuals available.”
“Contract air traffic control towers play a critical role in ensuring safe air travel in Washington state and across our country,” said Sen. Murray. “That’s why it’s so important to make sure our towers are staffed with the most qualified individuals to help keep our skies safe, and why I’m proud to join Sens. Inhofe and Moran in introducing this commonsense bill that will help remove unnecessary staffing barriers and allow our air traffic control towers in Spokane and across Washington state to attract the most experienced controllers.”
Federal contract towers face a unique hurtle 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.
The CONTRACT Act has received strong support from stakeholders. The U.S. Contract Tower Association (USCTA), the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) sent a letter of support which can be viewed here.
Contract towers play a central role in managing the safety and efficiency of our nation's complex airspace, supporting general aviation safety, the efficiency of large commercial airports, disaster relief and emergency medical operations, law enforcement and agriculture activities and businesses throughout the United States. In addition, many contract tower airports are located near or adjacent to military bases and manage a substantial number of military-related and national security operations, directly supporting the readiness and training of military units.
This legislation would remove the disincentive for retired FAA air traffic controllers to work at federal contract towers. Under current law, FAA air traffic controllers must retire by age 56. Because this is earlier than the normal retirement age, controllers are included as a "special group" under the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) and contribute an additional 0.5 percent of their annual salary into a special retirement annuity account. In return, they receive a FERS annuity payment during the mandatory retirement period between 56 and the social security minimum age of 62. The retired controller's special annuity payment is incrementally reduced if they earn more than the social security earnings limit of $17,640 (2019 tax year) annually. This annuity offset penalty results in many retired FAA controllers making the decision not work as federal contract tower air traffic controllers.
Items to note:
- In October 2018, a number of Sen. Moran-led provisions relating to contract towers were included in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.
- Full text of the CONTRACT Act can be found here.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) – members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation – introduced bipartisan legislation to fund research into ways of detecting “deepfakes.” Deepfakes are online videos that are manipulated to realistically mimic a person’s identity, and this legislation would help raise awareness of deepfakes and determine ways to combat the rising threat of this technology. The Identifying Outputs of Generative Adversarial Networks Act (IOGAN Act) directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to support research to accelerate the development of technologies that could help improve the detection of deepfakes.
“As technology continues to evolve, so do the complexity and frequency of digital threats to Americans,” said Sen. Moran. “Deepfakes can be means for a variety of ill-intentioned uses, but the technology poses a specific threat to U.S. voters and consumers by way of misinformation that is increasingly difficult to identify. The Identifying Outputs of Generative Adversarial Networks Act will assist the federal government to effectively coordinate its efforts to address this threat by accelerating research and development of deepfake technology detection.”
“In the last decade, technology has completely revolutionized Americans’ lives,” said Sen. Cortez Masto. “Yet that innovation also requires Congress to ensure that we have guardrails in place to protect our country from the malicious use of technology. Recently, deepfake technologies have been used to spoof the voices of leaders in other countries, to spread misinformation during democratic elections and to confuse and defraud consumers. I’m introducing the Identifying Outputs of Generative Adversarial Networks Act so that we can understand how to better identify deepfake technology, devise comprehensive strategies to stop it and to ensure we’re educating Nevadans, and all Americans on ways they can protect themselves.”
The IOGAN Act instructs the Director of the NSF to support research on the outputs that may be produced by generative adversarial networks, otherwise known as deepfakes, and other comparable techniques that may be developed in the future. Additionally, the IOGAN Act directs the NIST to work on setting measurements and standards relating to this technology, as well as develop a report on the feasibility of public-private partnerships to detect deepfakes.
Companion legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) and Anthony Gonzalez (R-Ohio).
Full text of the legislation can be found here.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) – members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation – today introduced the Promoting Women in Trucking Workforce Act. This legislation would support women in the trucking industry and would establish a Women of Trucking Advisory Board.
“As the trucking industry continues to face a driver shortage, we need to examine new ways to recruit and retain drivers that are delivering Kansas goods across the country,” said Sen. Moran. “Because women are substantially underrepresented in the trucking industry, Congress should explore every opportunity to encourage and support the pursuit of careers in trucking by women. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan and sensible bill with Sen. Baldwin that will lead to new job opportunities for women and increase equality for women already in the trucking industry.”
“In Wisconsin, we make things, and we need to ensure we have a strong workforce to transport our goods to market,” said Sen. Baldwin. “Women currently make up less than 10 percent of the truck driving workforce, and removing the barriers that get in the way of women pursuing and retaining careers in trucking is key. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort with Senator Moran because more job opportunities for Wisconsin women will lead to more economic security for working families.”
“By creating an advisory board to utilize the expertise and resources of the Federal Motor Carrier Administration and the members of the board, we can increase the opportunities for women as drivers, technicians, owners, trainers and in other relevant career roles,” said Women In Trucking Association President and CEO Ellen Voie. “I look forward to working with you and your office (Sens. Moran and Baldwin) in advancing this bill.”
“On behalf of the American Trucking Association, I write to express thanks and support for the introduction of the Promoting Women in Trucking Workforce Act,” said American Trucking Association President and CEO Chris Spear. “Your (Sens. Moran and Baldwin) thoughtful and timely legislation brings important attention and focus to the advancement of female representation and participation in trucking.”
Sen. Moran and Sen. Baldwin’s Promoting Women in Trucking Workforce would direct the administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to establish a “Women of Trucking Advisory Board.” Under this bill, the board would identify barriers to entry for women in the trucking industry, work across organizations and companies to coordinate formal education and training programs and help identify and establish training and mentorship programs for women in the industry. The legislation also requires the FMCSA Administrator to submit a report to Congress on the board’s findings and recommendations.
Currently, women make up 47 percent of the United States’ labor force, yet represent 24 percent of America’s trucking workforce and only about 7 percent of drivers.
Currently, women make up 47 percent of the United States’ labor force, yet represent 24 percent of America’s trucking workforce and only about 7 percent of drivers.
This legislation is supported by the Women in Trucking Association and the American Trucking Association.
Click here to view a summary of the legislation.
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WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate Commerce Committee approved legislation authored by U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) – Chairman and Ranking Member of the Commerce Subcommittee with jurisdiction over the health and safety of U.S. Olympic and amateur athletes – that would dramatically reform the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. The legislation will now be considered by the full Senate.
Moran and Blumenthal introduced their sweeping reform bill in July following an eighteen-month investigation into systemic abuse within the U.S. Olympic movement. The joint inquiry included four subcommittee hearings, interviews with Olympic athletes and survivors, and the retrieval of over 70,000 pages of documents. Click here to read the senators’ full investigative report, findings, and recommendations, and here for a one-page summary of the bill.
“Today, the Commerce Committee moved us one step closer to passage of our sweeping reform legislation. We are grateful to our colleagues who provided support and input in the lead-up to today’s vote, helping us create an even stronger version of this legislation,” Moran and Blumenthal said.
“We could not have reached this moment without the community of survivors – athletes who traveled to Washington countless times, shared their stories, and demanded change. We told these survivors that while powerful institutions had failed them in the past, we weren’t going to. We intend to keep that promise, and look forward to moving ahead with this legislation on the Senate Floor.”
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Sen. Moran Announces BUILD Grant to Complete I-35 &119th Interchange Improvements in Olathe
Nov 06 2019
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation – today announced a $10 million BUILD grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to the City of Olathe for the expansion and improvement of the I-35 and 119th Street interchange, otherwise known as the Interstate 35 and 119th Street Interchange Reconfiguration Project.
“Interchange improvements at I-35 and 119th Street have been a priority of Johnson County and Olathe officials, and I’m pleased that our coalition was able to secure resources for one of the highest traffic volume intersections in the state through a BUILD grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation,” said Sen. Moran. “This area serves as the spine for KC’s Gateway District and the completion of these improvements will allow residents and travelers to safely and more effectively access jobs, businesses and amenities in the area. In the coming months, I’ll continue working with local officials to prioritize infrastructure projects that the Kansas City regional economy relies on.”
The existing area at I-35 and 119th Street is currently approaching the end of its design life and is a large bottleneck during rush hour. A redesign and expansion of the interchange will allow for better traffic flow and improve safety on one of the highest traffic volume intersections in the state. Specifically, this will include construction of new diverging-diamond interchange, intersection improvements adjacent to the interchange, the addition of travel lanes on 119th Street and increased turn lanes on I-35 exit ramps.
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation – today announced a $6,506,686 BUILD Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to Ellis County for continued progress on the Northwest Business Corridor.
“I am pleased to announce that I have helped secure a BUILD grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation that will provide new resources to improve the Northwest Business Corridor,” said Sen. Moran. “Congratulations to county officials and those across Ellis County for their commitment and dedication to the project. The resources provided in this grant will allow for increased economic development in the region and help existing businesses expand through improved infrastructure that has the capacity for more freight. I look forward to continuing to work in close partnership with officials in Ellis County to see the corridor project through completion for the future of the community and all of Northwest Kansas.”
The current roadway that is the Northwest Business Corridor was not designed for the volume or type of traffic driven by recent private-sector investment, and improvements along the corridor will help promote economic activity now and long into the future. Additionally, it will improve safety for travelers who take the corridor and increase access to businesses along the route. The project would also complement the City of Hay’s North Vine Street project, wich was approved in last year’s BUILD Grant cycle, by providing an alternate route for large loads that cannot safely pass under the I-70 bridge over Route 183. As the amount of heavy freight being transported continues to increase, the Northwest Business Corridor is necessary so large trucks and oversized loads will be able to avoid driving through Hays and can bypass traffic.
Item to note:
- In August 2019, Sen. Moran visited the Northwest Business Corridor and heard directly from local officials and community leaders on the importance of the project.
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Sen. Moran’s FY2020 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act Passes Senate
Oct 31 2019
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies – discussed his CJS appropriations bill and the importance of getting this legislation and other funding bills across the finish line. These remarks occurred during a speech on the Senate floor on Tuesday, October 22, 2019.
