Now Law: Bipartisan Rural Housing Legislation
This week, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a comprehensive bipartisan housing package designed to increase supply, reduce costs and expand homeownership opportunities became law. The Senate unanimously passed the legislation in June, and after negotiations between the Senate Banking Committee and the House Financial Services Committee, both chambers passed the legislation with overwhelming support.

This package included key priorities of mine to strengthen access to affordable rural housing, including my Streamlining Rural Housing Act of 2025, which simplifies the regulatory process for housing developers by requiring the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a memorandum of understanding to align their housing standards. This legislation will reduce costs, shorten project timelines and help developers more efficiently meet the growing housing needs in rural Kansas and across the country.

The legislation also included several bipartisan bills I cosponsored, such as the Rural Housing Service Reform Act. This legislation will help strengthen federal rural housing programs and bolster the supply of affordable housing in rural America by improving and building upon USDA rural housing programs.

Another bill I cosponsored, the Choice in Affordable Housing Act, helps expand access to affordable housing by reducing HUD inspection delays and allowing units inspected under other federal programs within the past year to automatically meet voucher inspection requirements. It also enables new landlords to request pre-inspections, increasing access to housing and encouraging greater landlord participation.

Finally, I cosponsored the Veterans Affairs Loan Information Disclosure (VALID) Act, which updates Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage disclosures to include Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loan options and allows lenders to collect voluntary information about an applicant’s military service so eligible veterans and servicemembers can be connected with VA loan benefits early in the homebuying process.

Demand for rural housing continues to rise in Kansas and across the nation, underscoring the need for practical, innovative solutions. This legislation streamlines rural housing programs, reduces unnecessary bureaucratic barriers and expands access to affordable housing for rural families. I look forward to seeing the good that will result for rural communities across Kansas through this effort.

Support for the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act
I recently introduced the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, comprehensive legislation to expand and protect health care and benefits to millions of veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors in Kansas and across the country. The bill encompasses more than 60 separate pieces of legislation, including some of the most widely cosponsored bills in Congress, like the Major Richard Star Act and my Love Lives On Act. 

The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act is supported by Richard Star’s surviving brother, David, as well as numerous Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs). Recently, 23 of these veterans groups sent a letter, urging Congress to pass this comprehensive veterans legislation and send it to the President’s desk to change the lives of millions of veterans, caregivers and survivors for the better. I appreciate the advocacy efforts of all of the groups who are supporting this legislation, and I will continue my efforts to secure its passage by both chambers and enactment into law as soon as possible.

You can learn more about support for the legislation here and read about it in Military Times here.

Remembering Senator Lindsey Graham
I was saddened to hear of the passing of my friend and colleague, Senator Lindsey Graham. He spent his life in service to our country, both in uniform and in the United States Senate. He cared deeply about preserving the values that make our nation unique, and he was committed to strengthening American leadership on the global stage. Robba and I are praying for his family, loved ones and staff during this difficult time.

Recognizing National Air Traffic Control Day
This week marked National Air Traffic Control Day – a time to recognize the dedicated efforts of the men and women who work tirelessly to keep our aviation system operating safely, efficiently and reliably every day. As Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation, it is a priority of mine to make certain that we are investing in modernizing and improving our national air traffic control system while providing air traffic controllers with the tools they need to do their jobs effectively.

Last year, Congress provided $12.5 billion in the reconciliation legislation to help modernize our nation’s air traffic control system. In December, I convened a hearing of the Commerce Aviation Subcommittee with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford to examine the FAA’s air traffic control modernization plan. Strengthening our aviation system is critical, and I will continue my efforts to advance the safety of our skies. Thank you to the air traffic controllers in Kansas and across the country for their work in managing our nation’s complex airspace to keep the traveling public safe.

U.S. Treasury Launches New Savings and Investment Accounts for Children
Recently, the U.S. Department of the Treasury officially launched new tax-advantaged investment accounts for children, which were authorized through the reconciliation legislation passed by Congress last year. Known as Trump Accounts, these new federal savings and investment accounts allow parents, employers, and non-profit organizations to contribute building long-term wealth for children. Michael Dell, CEO of Dell Technologies and his wife, Susan, have pledged $6.25 billion in support of the program, gifting $250 to children born between 2016 and 2024 if they live in a ZIP code where the median income is $150,000 or less. Meanwhile, children born between 2025 and 2028 are eligible for a one-time $1,000 seed deposit from the U.S. Treasury Department, which is automatically deposited once their account is open and verified.

Click here to learn more about these investment accounts and how to enroll. To learn more about eligibility for receiving the Dell contribution, click here.

Celebrating National Corn Month
July is National Corn Month! Last year, Kansas corn growers produced nearly 945 million bushels of corn, ranking Kansas the seventh largest corn-producing state in the country. Thank you to all the Kansans who work tirelessly to feed and fuel both our nation and the world.

Now Accepting 2026 Service Academy Applications
Applications are now open for students to apply to a United States Service Academy for the Class of 2031. One of my favorite duties as a U.S. Senator is appointing Kansans to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.

For the list of requirements and to apply, you can visit my website here. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. CT on September 18, 2026. After applications have been reviewed, applicants will be notified of interviews with my Service Academy Selection Board.

Kansans in the Office 

Capitol Tour

Chelsea, Cole, Jesse and Jude Anderson of Benton

Hanna Bailey of Girard

Lauren Bates of Overland Park

Amanda, Audra, Ella, Mike and Sam Bowling of Shawnee

Becky and Chris Bradshaw of Olathe

Owen Brewster of Plainville

Kristi and Robert Brown of Overland Park

Catherine Calcara of Overland Park

Misty DeDonder of Admire

Kelly Graham of Overland Park

Gina Griggs of Leavenworth

Austyn and Cassie Hall of Alma

Elizabeth, Glorie and Nora Herder of Lenexa

Maria Holliday of Overland Park

Jamie and Reese Houck of Americus

Camden Kelly of Leawood

Abby, Banks, Kelm and Kyle Lear of Topeka

Douglas, Isaac and Rewadee Lindsay of Manhattan

Angela, Macey, Makinley and William Lofton of Kansas City

Avery and Clarice Ohlde of Palmer

Addison and Brittany Petersen of Reading

Jett and Taylor Peterson of Leavenworth

Ashley and Douglas Riley of LaCrosse

Brendan, Gavin, Grace, Hollie and Marc Ronan of Hutchinson

Pam Schoonover of Kansas City

Micaela Snook of Manhattan

Elizabeth and Reid Stamper of Plainville

Josie, Morgan and Shane Tiffany of Allen

Brezlyn, Ellison, Jamie, Kyle and Matalie Tipton of Winfield

Jeff and Merry Tipton of Arkansas City

Bruce and Ruth Uphoff of Leavenworth

Kenneth and Michael Uphoff of Manhattan

Christians United for Israel

Christopher Bergin of Overland Park

Kaleb Brummer of Overland Park

Karen Brummer of Overland Park

Glorie Herder of Lenexa

Joyce Hoffine of Wichita

Judy Wade of Gardner

Donna White of Louisburg

Frank White of Louisburg

Family Career and Community Leaders of America

Erika Alexander of Satanta

Charity Horinek of Sublette

Trelawney Horinek of Sublette

Celeste Kunselman of Satanta

Clayton Kunselman of Satanta

Kassy Kvasnicka of Winona

Lindy Kvasnicka of Winona

Amber Wolking of Winona

Kansas School Superintendent's Association

G.A. Buie of Topeka

Anna Stubblefield of Kansas City

Blake Vargas of Caney

Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition

Tamiah Coffee of Topeka

Kayla Knier of Garden City

National Sorghum Producers

Jim Sipes of Manter

United Way of the Plains

Matt Lowe of Wichita