Remembering 9/11
Wednesday marked the 23rd anniversary of 9/11. As a country, we will never forget the brave men and women who risked and gave their lives that day to save their fellow Americans, and we are thankful to those who answered the call to protect our nation in the years after.



Introducing Legislation to Protect Kansans' Private Property Rights
In May, the Department of Energy (DOE) proposed a designation of land across Kansas as a National Interest Electric Transmission Corridor (NIETC). This designation would give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authority to site electric transmission lines throughout the corridor, even overruling state regulators in Kansas. Since DOE’s proposal, my colleagues and I have heard from many Kansans who strongly oppose condemnation of their land for installation of electric transmission lines. This week, the Senate returned to Washington after the August work period, and I introduced legislation to help protect the private property rights of Kansans.

Sen. Roger Marshall, Congressman Tracey Mann and Congressman Ron Estes joined me in introducing this legislation. Specifically, the bill would prevent the federal government from using taxpayer dollars to seize private property to be used for electric transmission lines. Kansans, not the federal government, should be making decisions about their land.

While we work to pass this legislation, my colleagues and I secured an extension of DOE’s 45-day comment period to ensure that Kansans’ voices could be heard. If you would like to offer comments on the proposed transmission line to the Department of Energy, you can email your thoughts to NIETC@HQ.DOE.GOV.

You can watch my floor speech here.

Advocating for Rural Amtrak Routes
Later on Wednesday, the Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing on several nominees to the Amtrak Board of Directors: David Capozzi, Samuel Lathem, Ronald Batory and Elaine Clegg. The Amtrak Board of Directors is composed of eight Senate-confirmed voting members, and during the drafting of Surface Transportation Reauthorization in 2021, I authored a provision that required the Amtrak Board of Directors to better represent the American travelling public, principally those outside of the Northeast Corridor (NEC). While these nominees meet these requirements, the Biden administration and the Senate have been unable to confirm a full Amtrak Board of Directors.

During the hearing, I asked for each nominee’s verbal commitment to Amtrak’s long-distance passenger routes, and that if confirmed, they will work to support the longevity of these routes and maintaining its level of safety. Amtrak’s long-distance passenger routes are imperative to economic development efforts at the city, state and national level, and the Southwest Chief route across Kansas is no exception.

You can watch my questions here.



Protecting Water Conservation Programs
This week, I introduced the Water Project Navigators Act with Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.). This legislation will establish a new program at the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) to fund navigator positions with states, Tribes and rural communities to boost capacity for developing, funding and implementing water management and conservation projects. Widespread drought is impacting many communities across Kansas, hurting family farms, local municipalities and businesses. While there are federal resources available to help preserve water, accessing these resources can be a challenge for Tribal and rural communities, and this legislation connects these communities with the resources available to help combat the impact of droughts.

You can learn more about the legislation in the Kansas Reflector, here.



Receiving an Update from the Army Corps of Engineers
I was pleased to meet the incoming Commander of the Southwestern Division of the Army Corps of Engineers, Colonel George Walter. The Army Corps executes water resource projects across the country, with responsibilities including flood protection, ensuring navigable waters and ports, water supply and recreation. The jurisdiction of the Southwestern Division covers the southern half of Kansas and includes the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, which transports 12 million tons of commodities annually. During the meeting, I spoke to Colonel Walter about the importance of this system to farmers in Kansas and about the prevention of flooding events in Coffeyville. I look forward to working with Colonel Walter to make certain our communities are safe from flooding and our reservoirs and waterways are properly maintained.



Meeting with the Ambassador of Cyprus
This week, I met with the Ambassador of Cyprus, Evangelos Saava. Cyprus is an important security and energy partner, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has spurred further partnerships between Cyprus and the U.S. Current global conflicts make it even more important to provide assurances and investments into the relationships with countries, like Cyprus, that would like to partner with the United States. Through increasing the review timeline for embargos on Cyprus, the United States can help Cyprus transition to a security force that integrates with NATO-standard military capability and assure them the U.S. is a reliable partner.

I am thankful for the continued efforts by Cypriot President Christodoulides and Ambassador Saava to prioritize the relationship between the U.S. and Cyprus, and I look forward to supporting future joint interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Delaying VA’s Air Ambulance Rule Implementation
After months of pressure from myself, along with my Senate colleagues, VA has announced they are delaying a rule change to reimbursement rates for special modes of transportation until 2029. I have consistently asked VA to delay the implementation of this rule to protect rural veterans’ access to air and ground ambulances. VA originally had planned to implement this rule in February 2024, but after facing initial pressure, delayed it to February 2025. This new delay until 2029 will give VA more time to work with Congress to implement this rule in a way that would make certain access and availability of life-saving emergency transportation for veterans in rural America is feasible and affordable. I would like to thank Sen. John Tester (D-Mont.), many of my other colleagues in the House and Senate and the various veteran service organizations and groups who advocated and demanded this change for their on-going support of our nation’s veterans.

You can read more about the rule delay in the Military Times here.

Meetings with Kansans
Angels in Adoption
This week, I had the chance to meet the Breshears family of Wichita, when they visited my office with the Angels in Adoption program. Julie Breshears was nominated through the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute as a 2024 Angels in Adoption, a program which honors those who have made outstanding contributions on behalf of children in need of loving homes. As a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I am committed to promoting awareness of adoption and encouraging Americans to secure safety, permanency and well-being for all children.

The Breshears are vocal advocates for adoption, who strongly believe in the value of family and keeping families together. Their compassion and commitment have given children both a family and a bright future. Thank you to the Breshears family for their dedicated service to improving the lives of others, and congratulations to Julie on this well-deserved honor.



VFW State Commander
On Wednesday, I met with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) former Kansas State Commander and current National Legislative Committee Member, Lee Hursey, to discuss VFW’s legislative goals and priorities. We discussed the importance of passing the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, legislation I negotiated to reform the delivery of health care, benefits and services at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans, their families and their survivors. We also discussed how to make certain VA continues to prioritize the provision of care and benefits to toxic-exposed veterans following the enactment of the PACT Act.

I want to thank Lee for taking the time to meet with me and for all the work that he and his colleagues at VFW do every day to support our nation’s veterans.



Kansas Credit Unions
On Wednesday, I met with the Kansas Credit Unions to discuss the challenges they face in the financial arena. Burdensome regulations cut customer services and limit access to credit by imposing burdens disproportionately felt by the smallest credit unions. We discussed their proposals to ensure Kansans can continue to have access to capital and the innovative ways they combat fraud to keep their customers’ accounts safe. For Kansans seeking to purchase a home, start a business, or finance a college education, Kansas credit unions are vital to the growth and prosperity of our communities. I want to thank those who made the trip to Washington from Kansas to advocate for these important issues and am grateful for our partnership to continue finding ways to ease the burden on Kansans.



Kansas Farmers Union
I met with members of the Kansas Farmers Union to discuss their key priorities for the Farm Bill, such as enhancing permanent disaster assistance programs, expanding crop insurance coverage options for more family farmers and ranchers and establishing a dual enrollment option for Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC). Thank you to President Don Teske, Executive Director Nick Levendofsky and their team for the conversation.



Kansas Wheat Commission
I met with the Kansas Wheat Commission to discuss the vital importance of passing an updated Farm Bill. This week, several agriculture groups came to Washington to urge Congress to pass a new Farm Bill this year as financial pressures in the industry continue to compound. We discussed challenges facing the agriculture industry, such as low commodity prices, increased input costs, hurdles obtaining access to credit and a steady decline in net farm income. I will continue to work with my colleagues to pass an updated Farm Bill and make certain agriculture has a strong voice in Congress. Thank you to Kyler Millershaki, Clay Schemm, Shayna Degroot and Marsha Boswell for the conversation.

Announcing Resources for Lyon County Sheriff’s Office
I was in Emporia this week to announce federal resources for the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office. The funding has provided the office with new body cameras, as well as an in-car camera system for Deputies and patrol vehicles. Additionally, the office received resources to purchase a Range Targeting System that is used by the joint city/county law enforcement training facility.

Thank you to Sheriff Jeff Cope for the invitation to speak and for your service to the community.

You can read more about the event in the Emporia Gazette, here.



Grand Opening for New Community Based Outpatient Clinic
On Friday, I participated in the opening of the new Iola VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), which will be offering improved access, expanded services and hours and will provide an updated facility for veterans across southeast Kansas. The Iola clinic will offer primary health care, mental health, women’s health and telehealth services. It was great to see Bill Shirley, an Army veteran who served for 22 years, and have him share about his efforts over a decade to bring a VA CBOC to Iola. I look forward to seeing how this facility will provide better care for Kansas veterans and increase access to rural veteran health care.

Thank you to VA Regional Network Director Dr. Trish Hall, VA Eastern Kansas Director Rudy Klopfer, Mayor Steve French and the Iola community for working together to care for Kansas Veterans.

You can read more about the event in the Iola Register.



Visits Across Kansas
Miami County Hospital
On Friday, I was stopped in Paola to tour the Miami County Medical Center. I had the opportunity to speak with hospital staff, tour the facility and learn more about the services they provide. Thank you to CEO Jason Hannagan, COO Jeff Dossett, Chief Strategy Officer Mike Jensen and Senior Director of Nursing Aubrey Slayman for making time to meet with me and share the important work you do for Kansans in your community.

Madison High School
I visited Madison High School to meet with students and hear about the new school year. During my tour, I visited with faculty, staff and students to learn about the different classes offered at the school and how they help prepare students for life after graduation.

Thank you to students Octavian Dean, Sadie Albert and Jenna Thomsen for taking the time to meet with me.