WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) was appointed this week to several powerful U.S. Senate committees, whose jurisdictions have a direct impact on the lives of Kansans and America’s economy. He will serve on the following committees:

• U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations
• U.S. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee
• U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee
• U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
• U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging

 “This is great news for Kansas. Our delegation has never been better positioned. These assignments will be a big help in creating jobs in Kansas,” said Kansas Governor Sam Brownback in reaction to the assignments.

Sen. Moran, who has a long history of opposing reckless spending on Capitol Hill, will bring Kansas common sense and hard-nosed fiscal oversight to the appropriations process. In his new role on the Appropriations Committee he will forcefully advocate for spending cuts, tougher funding standards and broad reform. The last time a freshman Republican senator was appointed to the Appropriations Committee was 30 years ago in 1981. 

“America’s fiscal situation is dire and getting worse by the day. Our more than $14 trillion national debt – the result of out-of-control government borrowing and spending – is jeopardizing the prosperity of our kids and grandkids who will have to pay for our irresponsibility,” Sen. Moran said. “The fact is reform comes from the inside out. I asked to be appointed to the Appropriations Committee in order to change Washington’s culture of spending and corruption.”

Through his appointment to the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee as well as the Senate Small Business Committee, he will continue his long-time commitment to strengthening the economy, creating jobs, opening up foreign markets to U.S. exports, and fostering the growth of small businesses.

“It is clear that the economic policies put into place by Congress and the Obama Administration have not worked,” Sen. Moran continued. “Our government must change direction, and I look forward to joining my new colleagues in advocating for monetary and fiscal policies that promote, rather than stifle, economic growth. History has shown that sustainable economic growth starts with the private sector. Small businesses, including agricultural producers, are the true job creators in our country and when they succeed, jobs are created and communities are strengthened.”

Sen. Moran has also made improving the quality of life for the nearly 250,000 veterans living in Kansas a top priority throughout his time on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and will continue doing so as a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. He will also take on the challenges facing all Kansas seniors – including access to health care, the solvency of Social Security and Medicare, and retirement planning – as a member of the Special Committee on Aging.

“There is no group of Americans I hold in higher regard than our veterans, who bravely put their lives at risk to protect the freedoms and liberties we all enjoy,” Sen. Moran said. “They kept their promise to us; we must keep our promise to them. I am humbled to have the opportunity to continue working on behalf of those who have honorably served our country.”  

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