WASHINGTON – The full Senate Appropriations Committee today approved U.S. Senator Jerry Moran’s (R-Kan.) bill to support farmers and ranchers, encourage rural economic development, and enhance food safety in fiscal year 2017. The legislation, which Sen. Moran authored as Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman, directs funding and operations within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The legislation balances continued investment in rural America with fiscal responsibility by reducing federal spending compared to currently enacted levels.

“Agriculture is the backbone of our state’s economy,” said Sen. Moran. “This bill prioritizes interests crucial to farmers and ranchers in Kansas and across the country by investing in agriculture research, conservation and animal health initiatives. The legislation emphasizes food safety efforts, which will help keep families across the country healthy and maintain consumer confidence in American-produced food. The legislation also increases flood prevention and conservation efforts by addressing watershed project backlogs in Kansas and other states.

Sen. Moran continued, “I’m especially proud of provisions in the bill that incentivize military veterans to explore opportunities in production agriculture. Encouraging our veterans to pursue farming, ranching and other careers in agriculture will strengthen our farm economy while empowering vets to apply their unique skill sets and abilities to agricultural production.”

The bill prioritizes a number of key issues for Kansans, including:

• Agriculture research
Increases support for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), USDA’s premier competitive grant program for basic and applied agriculture research. Studies estimate that every dollar invested in agriculture research returns $20 to the U.S. economy. Research completed at USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) labs and universities in Kansas keep producers on the cutting edge of technology and competitive in a global market.

• Watershed and flood prevention
Supports the Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations program for the first time since fiscal year 2010. This program protects our rural communities from flooding by providing needed support for watershed projects. Watersheds also protect our natural resources and provide conservation benefits by reducing erosion and increasing sediment retention. Estimates show that in Kansas alone, watershed projects in place today provide $115 million in economic and flood damage reduction benefits.

• Veteran outreach
Includes funding for the Food and Agriculture Resilience Program for Military Veterans (FARM-Vets) program and directs USDA to engage in additional outreach and training for veterans transitioning from military service to careers in agriculture. Nearly 40 percent of the nation’s farms are owned and operated by farmers over the age of 65 creating a significant demand new farmers, while at the same time, over 800,000 service members are expected to transition out of the military in the coming years.

• Rural water systems
Provides robust support for the Grassroots Source Water Protection Program and Circuit Rider Program, which are designed to provide technical assistance to rural water systems and prevent pollution of surface and ground water used as the primary source of drinking water by rural residents. Sen. Moran believes the ability for rural communities to provide safe drinking water to its citizens is of utmost importance.

• Food safety initiatives
Supports implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act, which intends to improve preventive control measures for food production, decrease foodborne illness outbreaks, and better ensure the safety of imported food. Preventing food contamination keeps consumers safe and heathy and helps agriculture stakeholders by instilling confidence in our food systems.

The U.S. Senate now has the opportunity to debate the agriculture bill, along with the other 11 appropriations bill required of Congress annually.

I rise this afternoon in the middle of this debate on this appropriations bill because of the timing of a tragedy in our state and the reality that this is a week of importance to reflect upon what happened in Kansas just a few days ago.

I want to honor the life of Police Detective Brad Lancaster. He was a member of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department, and he was killed in the line of duty. On May 9 of this year, Detective Lancaster joined Kansas City, Kansas, patrol officers in responding to a call about a suspicious person. When law enforcement arrived, the suspicious person fled into a field where Detective Lancaster exchanged gunfire and he was hit twice. Unfortunately, ultimately, he died from his injuries.

Detective Lancaster gave his life to keep his community safe, and he deserves our highest respects and appreciation, our love and care for his family, for his service and for his sacrifice. His friends, family and neighbors remember Brad Lancaster’s commitment to his community and its extension beyond his nine years of service to the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department.

Before joining the police department, Brad served in the U.S. Air Force and completed two tours of duty abroad, including one in Kuwait during Desert Shield. Neighbors say that Brad was a family man and one who was always there to offer a helping hand.

Detective Lancaster is survived by his wife Jamie and two daughters, Brianna and Jillian. I join the Kansas City community and law enforcement agencies across the country in our prayers for Detective Lancaster and his family as we mourn his death.

This tragic loss occurred just prior to National Police Week – a time in which we celebrate those who leave their homes and families each day and put their lives on the line to keep our neighborhoods safe. So today, during this National Police Week and especially in the wake of this tragic death in Kansas City, I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to American law enforcement officers and their families – to thank them for working tirelessly amid dangerous conditions for the sake of others, for upholding the law and for the burdens they shoulder and the sacrifices they make on a daily basis. We owe so much to these everyday heroes.

Law enforcement officers perform some of the most difficult and hazardous jobs in America. A routine traffic stop can turn into deadly gunfire, a shootout without warning. Members of this legislative body and communities across America alike must do everything we possibly can to prioritize and protect the lives of those who protect us.

Federally, efforts like the Justice Assistance Grant Program and the bulletproof vest grant program help enhance the safety of our law enforcement officers, and Congress’s continued support of these efforts is important. This body passed the Fallen Heroes Flag Act, which was signed into law on Monday. This week, I hope the Senate will unanimously adopt a resolution to express appreciation to the police officers and honor each of the 123 who were killed in the line of duty last year.

Support and appreciation for law enforcement must be delivered not only in the communities where officers have been killed, but to every officer every day. When we as Americans commit to the safety, training and support of law enforcement, we can help to secure our streets, strengthen our communities, and hopefully reduce the number of deaths in the line of duty.

May Kansas City, Kansas, police detective Brad Lancaster and each of those fallen heroes rest in peace.

Madam President, I yield the floor.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) issued the following statement regarding the Obama Administration’s decision to drop the appeal of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit today, which vacates the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listing of the lesser prairie chicken (LPC) as a threatened species.

“The decision today to drop the appeal highlights this administration’s flawed approach to listing the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species in the first place,” Sen. Moran said. “Stakeholders in Kansas need certainty on the listing. I hope the decision is recognition by the USFWS that increased rainfall and locally-driven, voluntary conservation is the best approach to preserving this species – not more burdensome regulations from the federal government. 

Sen. Moran continued, “My fear is USFWS made a strategic decision to restart the listing process for the bird instead of continuing to fight a losing battle in court. It is incumbent on USFWS to be open and transparent about its future intentions for the LPC listing. I have asked for answers from USFWS, and will continue to advocate for policies that prevent the service from pursuing future efforts to re-list the species.”

An aerial survey conducted by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (WAFWA) estimates the bird’s population to be 29,162 birds – a nearly 50 percent increase since 2013. The bird’s population decreased largely as a result of the historic, multi-year drought impacting the habitat area. Every county in Kansas with habitat area was experiencing a D3-Extreme Drought or D4-Exceptional Drought in 2013 at the time of the WAFWA annual aerial population survey, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. As rainfall returned to more historic norms since 2014, the bird’s population has correspondingly increased.  

In an attempt to avoid the bird’s listing under the Endangered Species Act, farmers, ranchers, energy developers and other stakeholders in the region came together to develop a locally-driven, voluntary conservation plan. However, the plan was not given the opportunity to prove its effectiveness because the USFWS chose to list the bird as a threatened species in March 2014. 

Since the listing, Sen. Moran has led the effort in Congress to reverse the misguided decision. His amendment to the FY2016 Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill to restrict the use of funds for enforcement of the listing passed with a majority vote. In January 2015, Sen. Moran also successfully secured a vote on a similar LPC amendment to Keystone XL pipeline legislation (S.1), which received the support of a bipartisan majority of senators.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today announced his new communications team – Communications Director Katie Niederee, Deputy Communications Director Jordan Langdon and Press Secretary Carter Baum – who will work to make certain Kansans are informed about his efforts on behalf of the state.

“Katie, Jordan and Carter will continue to play an important role in making certain Kansans understand how policy decisions I make on Capitol Hill impact our state,” Sen. Moran said. “Their care and concern for Kansas complements each of their unique experiences, and I look forward to this team’s creative approach to serving Kansans.”

Niederee, who was previously Sen. Moran’s press secretary, will serve as his primary spokesperson and oversee communications strategy. A native of Great Bend, Kan., she attended Kansas State University and graduated with a degree in public relations. In addition to working on behalf of her home state, Niederee is a board member for the K-State Capital Area Alumni Club and for the past two years she has been elected by her peers to serve on the executive board of the U.S. Senate Press Secretaries Association.

Langdon joins Sen. Moran’s staff after serving three years as communications director to Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA). She will serve as his deputy spokesperson. A Texas native, she has a degree in public relations from the University of Texas at Austin.

Baum, who was previously Sen. Moran’s correspondence director, press assistant and deputy press secretary, will serve as deputy spokesperson. A native of Mission Hills, Kan., he attended the University of Richmond and graduated with degrees in philosophy and leadership studies.

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