Kansas Common Sense
Immediate Disaster Relief for Farmers & Ranchers
Nov 25 2024
Immediate Disaster Relief for Farmers & Ranchers
Senate Committee on Appropriations
On Wednesday, I delivered remarks during the Senate Committee on Appropriations hearing to review disaster funding needs. At the hearing, I expressed the toll that drought has taken on our farmers coupled with other issues of high input costs, low commodity prices and high interest rates. I stressed to my colleagues and to the U.S. Department of Agriculture the importance of emergency financial relief for our farmers and ranchers. During all my time in Congress, this is as dire a circumstance that I have seen in trying to save rural America. This emergency relief is hugely important, and I will continue working closely with leaders on the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture to negotiate disaster and economic assistance for farmers and ranchers who have suffered from disasters this year and continue to feel operational challenges due to high inflation on inputs, equipment and fuel.
You can watch my remarks here.
I also expressed my dissatisfaction with our inability to do an appropriations bill for 2025 in the Appropriations Committee before the end of the year. We need to let committees do their work. I urged the leadership of the Appropriations Committee and my colleagues to lobby our leadership to remind them that this is the committee that should have jurisdiction over the disaster supplemental, and this should not be a one-shot hearing.
You can watch my remarks here.
Working for a Better Farm Bill
This week, Senate Democrats released their proposed Farm Bill text. I am disappointed Congress is unable to deliver certainty to Kansas and America’s farmers and ranchers by passing a new Farm Bill. The Farm Bill is over a year late and missed the opportunity for bipartisan outcomes. We now focus fully on the Senate Appropriations Committee to negotiate a natural disaster and economic assistance supplemental for farmers and ranchers who have suffered from high input costs and low commodity prices along with the drought. I am committed to passing a Farm Bill in the upcoming Congress that is reflective of the current farm economy.
You can read more about my frustrations with the Farm Bill in WIBW, here.
Joining Ag Media
On Thursday morning, I joined RFD-TV and Agri-Pulse to talk about the delayed and partisan Farm Bill. I reiterated my frustration with the Senate Committee on Agriculture’s inability to produce a Farm Bill in a timely manner that addressed important issues like drought relief, commodity prices and economic assistance programs for farmers and ranchers battling natural disasters. I also addressed the likelihood of a disaster relief package passing the Senate Committee on Appropriations before the end of the calendar year.
You can watch my interview on Agri-Pulse here and RFD-TV here. You can also listen to my radio interview on AgriTalk here.
Promoting Sustainable Aviation Fuel
SAF Coalition
On Wednesday, I spoke at The Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) Coalition’s quarterly luncheon to provide a perspective on Sustainable Aviation Fuel in the 119th Congress. The SAF Coalition is a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition of airlines, airports, low-carbon fuel companies, manufacturers, and other developers who share the objective of accelerating the development and deployment of SAF. I spoke on the three-fold benefit of SAF: it supplies a cleaner energy supply for the aviation industry, diversifies our American energy industry and provides new markets for our farmers. I discussed the need for the Biden administration to release guidance on the 45Z tax credit and how it must be less prescriptive in its requirements, include more eligible crops as feedstocks, as well as promote the use of domestic feedstocks over imported feedstocks.
Kansas is becoming a prime location for companies who are looking to create their SAF pipeline, by partnering with our agriculture suppliers and ethanol producers to manufacture a drop-in fuel designed for existing aircraft. Thank you to Executive Director of the SAF Coalition Alison Graab and the members of the coalition who were present for the lunch. I appreciated the opportunity to discuss this important topic and brainstorm on how to maintain the momentum surrounding this exciting industry.
Clean Fuels Alliance American
On Tuesday, I met with the Clean Fuels Alliance to discuss the growth opportunities for SAF. Earlier this year, I launched the Senate Sustainable Aviation Caucus to promote the development of domestic SAF production. SAF provides a new market to our farmers, diversifies our American energy industry by becoming more energy independent and decarbonizes the aviation industry. We also discussed their priorities for the 119th Congress, the upcoming Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) rule and legislation to encourage biomass-based diesel use in ocean-going vessels.
Thank you to Bob Haselwood of Berryton, Kaleb Little of Topeka, Dennis Hupe of Perry, Brian Wittenborn of Overland Park and Michael Sargeant of Mission for the conversation.
Extending the Special Diabetes Program
This week, I joined 54 of my colleagues in calling on Senate leadership to emphasize the importance of funding the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) that is set to expire on December 31. Diabetes is one of the most expensive and widespread diseases in the United States, impacting individuals of all ages, races and regions. It is a leading cause of severe health issues, and in 2022, it cost the nation $412.9 billion. The Special Diabetes Program, which has provided vital resources and research advancements for 27 years, supports both Type 1 diabetes research and programs for Native Americans who face a disproportionate burden of Type 2 diabetes. This essential program must be reauthorized to make certain Americans who are living with or are at risk of developing diabetes continue to receive support.
You can read my letter to Senate Leadership here.
Calling on VA to help Military Sexual Trauma Victims
This week, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) and I requested answers from Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough on the delayed implementation of the Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Claims Coordination Act. The legislation required VA to provide these veterans who are applying for disability compensation after experiencing MST, with information on the Veterans Crisis Line and details on how to make appointments with a mental health provider to cope with the stress and difficulty they may be experiencing while completing the claims process. Since its passage in 2022, VA has yet to implement this law, and recently announced it would further be delayed until January 2025.
I am disappointed that VA has failed to implement the law and chooses to avoid transparency with Congress about VA’s efforts to support veterans filing disability compensation claims for MST. VA must act and respond to Congress by providing a plan for how and when they will implement this legislation to make certain veterans are receiving the benefits and resources they have earned. I would like to thank Chairman Bost for joining me in this effort and his constant support of veterans across the country.
You can read the full letter to Sec. McDonough here.
Raising Awareness for 9-8-8
In 2022, I introduced legislation that shortened the suicide crisis hotline to 9-8-8 so that people who need immediate help have an easier way to seek assistance. Currently, reports are showing that less than 1 in 5 people know the number by heart; however, this is an increase from recent years. As we continue to raise awareness and combat the mental health crisis across the country, it is important to make resources like the 9-8-8 crisis line and other life-saving tools known and available for those who need it most.
If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please call or text 9-8-8 or visit the lifeline website here.
Meeting with Airline Pilots Association
On Tuesday, I met with Captain John Ambrosi, President of the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), which represents more than 78,000 airlines pilots in the United States and Canada, to discuss issues facing commercial pilots and ongoing efforts to implement the 2024 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization. Through my role as the lead Republican on the Commerce Aviation Subcommittee, I advocated for the critical functions of America’s commercial aviation industry including bolstering the aviation workforce, supporting staffing needs of Air Traffic Control operations, attracting regional air service to small communities and safeguarding the Essential Air Service (EAS) program. Captain Ambrosi and I discussed ALPA’s work on behalf of its members and how Congress can continue to support aviation safety efforts and ensure smooth and efficient operations in America’s commercial airspace. Thank you to Captain Ambrosi for his time and discussing these important issues.
Requesting Mail-In BOI Options for Rural Americans
This week, I called on Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Andrea Gacki to allow rural business owners to submit their beneficial ownership information (BOI) through the United States Postal Service (USPS) instead of using the current beneficial ownership information (BOI) E-Filing due to broadband connectivity issues across the United States. On January 1, 2024, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) launched its BOI E-Filing website so that companies may report their information digitally to comply with the Corporate Transparency Act. While an online method will suffice for many companies across Kansas and the United States, this system alienates the many rural businesses unable to access a reliable broadband connection. Federal Communications Commission data estimates that more than one in five Americans in rural areas and nearly three in ten Tribal residents lack access to a dependable broadband connection. Given the existing burdensome regulatory environment that our economy currently operates under, allowing rural business owners to submit these forms through USPS would help level the playing field for mom-and-pop businesses in our nation’s smallest towns.
You can read more about the letter in KRSL here.
Visits Across Kansas
Valley Falls High School
On Friday, I visited Valley Falls High School and was given a tour of the facility. I enjoyed hearing from students, faculty and staff about the various opportunities and programs provided by the school.
Thank you to Principal Greg Morgan and students Aubrey, Paisleigh, Shayden and Trenten for showing me around.
F.W. Huston Medical Center
Later on Friday, I stopped by Winchester for a tour of the F.W. Huston Medical Center. During my tour, I spoke with members of the hospital staff to learn more about the critical health care services they provide. Thank you to CEO Heidi Pickerell (possible local leaders) and staff for meeting with me and providing a very insightful tour.
Supporting Family Caregivers
November is National Family Caregiver Month. I am grateful to the more than 100 million adults, including 14.3 million veterans or servicemembers and 330,000 Kansans who serve as family caregivers. I hear frequently from caregivers in our state about issues they face, whether that’s challenges accessing health care and benefits or issues outside of VA that are directly impacting their lives. Based on the feedback and perspective of these Kansans, I introduced legislation, including the Coordinating Care for Senior Veterans and Wounded Warriors Act, the Veteran Caregiver Reeducation, Reemployment, and Retirement Act and the RESPECT Act to make it easier for caregivers to get the help and support they need.
Caring for a loved one is a full-time job, so today and every day, we honor and recognize the work and compassion of family caregivers everywhere.
Capitol Tour
Darin Challacombe of Topeka
Zechariah Haile of Wichita
David Mayer of Lawrence
Sally Mayer of Lawrence
Clean Fuels Alliance America
Robert Haselwood of Berryton
Dennis Hupe of Topeka
Kaleb Little of Topeka
Peter Rosenthal of Merriam
Michael Sargeant of Mission
Brian Wittenborn of Overland Park
Georgetown University Medical School, Law Center, and Health Justice Alliance
Manav Mehta of Olathe
Kansas State University
Eric Fitzsimmons of Manhattan
National Federation of Federal Employees – IAMAW Local 1765
Wanda Sterbenz of Leavenworth
Girma Assefa of Leavenworth
Summit Next Gen
Will Moore of Hays
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