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Welcome to “Kansas Common Sense.” Thank you for your continued interest in receiving my weekly newsletter. Please feel free to forward it on to your family and friends if it would interest them.

Time for Congress to Pass a Budget

On Wednesday I spoke on the Senate floor about one of my greatest concerns: our nation’s out-of-control spending. America’s national debt now stands at more than $15 trillion; this enormous amount of debt is slowing America’s economic recovery and threatening the prosperity of future generations. Writing and passing a budget is one of the most basic responsibilities of Congress – it’s required by law. The budget sets forth priorities and guidelines for the fiscal year and begins the process of determining how much money should be spent and which programs should be cut back, eliminated or supported further. The way to get back on the path to fiscal responsibility is for Congress to pass and operate within a budget. 

The Senate considered five separate budget proposals this week, including President Obama’s budget which failed by a vote of 0-99. Although there were things I would have changed in each budget we considered, four of the budgets would move us in the right direction towards balancing the budget and I commended my colleagues for offering serious solutions to serious problems.

In Congress, we have a solemn obligation to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. Our spending debate is oftentimes seen as a philosophical, academic, or a partisan argument, but the truth is out-of-control borrowing and spending has very real consequences on the daily lives of Americans and our economy. If we continue to delay difficult decisions, our children and grandkids will have to pay for our irresponsibility. Click here to watch my remarks to my colleagues in the Senate.

Honoring Fallen Kansas Police Officers

This week, throughout the nation and in Washington DC, we honored our fallen heroes during National Police Week. Since 1962, May 15th has stood as a day of remembrance for the many fallen police officers who faithfully served our communities and our country. Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world travel to Washington, DC to participate in a number of events which honor those who have laid down their lives for their fellow citizens.

Carved on the walls of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, are the names of more than 19,000 officers who have been killed in the line of duty throughout U.S. history, dating back to the first known death in 1791. This year, 362 names were added to the Memorial, including the names of three brave Kansas officers: Andrew Balfour, a local sheriff of Kiowa County; William Bloomfield, a Deputy Sheriff of Bourbon County; and Sergeant David Enzbrenner of Atchison. On Tuesday, I attended a special memorial service to honor those fallen officers, along with Sergeant Enzbrenner’s family members, and community leaders and friends from Atchison.

Later in the day, I had the opportunity to pay tribute to our Kansas heroes on the Senate floor. One of those heroes was Sergeant David Enzbrenner of Atchison, whose life was suddenly taken just five months ago during a routine call. This unprovoked act of violence robbed the Enzbrenner family of their father, husband, and the Atchison community of a loyal public servant.

Each day across our country, police officers face great danger with courage, and that is exactly what all three of the fallen Kansas officers did. During National Police Week, we remember their families and the loved ones they left behind. We also pray for their comfort and ask God to protect all those who continue to serve us today. Click here to watch my remarks on the Senate floor.

Supporting Our Nation’s Troops

On Wednesday, I joined several instrumental Senate caucuses focused on our nation’s troops, including the Senate Army Caucus, the Senate Air Force Caucus and the Senate Military Family Caucus. As a Member of the Senate Veteran Affairs Committee, I wanted to take the opportunity to have a stronger voice in support of our service members at home and abroad. The Senate Army Caucus will open doors to advocating for superior land-power and support to our soldiers and their families, particularly those at Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley. Similarly, the Senate Air Force Caucus will offer more opportunities to meet with senior Air Force leaders to promote a stronger and more stable Air Force, especially those airmen and women who serve on McConnell Air Force Base and Forbes Air Field. Smoky Hill and the Great Plains Training Center, which support both Army and Air Force service members, will also be a focus as a member of these caucuses. 

The Senate Military Family Caucus is the forum to not only focus on the service member but the many sacrifices that their families face each day. I will work on policy issues that impact their health and stability, as well as, other substantive issues such as childcare, education, employments and the effects of multiple deployments. Our national security is dependent on the strength of our military families and I look forward to being an active member on these caucuses to advocate for our service members. 

Protecting Second Amendment Rights of Americans

On Thursday, I spoke about the importance of protecting the rights of Americans from the effects of a United Nations Arms Trade Treaty. Recently I introduced legislation, the Second Amendment Sovereignty Act, that would prohibit the Obama Administration from using the “voice, vote and influence” of the United States during Arms Trade Treaty negotiations to restrict in any way the Second Amendment rights of U.S. citizens, including the regulation of civilian firearms and ammunition.

On July 22 of last year, fifty-seven U.S. Senators joined me in reminding the Obama Administration that our firearm freedoms are not negotiable. We notified President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton of our intent to oppose ratification of a treaty that in any way restricts Americans’ Second Amendment rights. Our opposition is strong enough to block the treaty from passage, as treaties submitted to the U.S. Senate require two-thirds approval to be ratified.

As the treaty process continues, the Second Amendment Sovereignty Act seeks to further reinforce to the Administration that our country’s sovereignty and firearm freedoms must not be infringed upon by an international organization made up of many countries with little respect for gun rights. America leads the world in export standards to ensure arms are transferred for legitimate purposes and my bill will make certain that law-abiding Americans are not wrongfully punished.

In July, the U.N. Conference on the Arms Trade Treaty will take place in New York, during which time a treaty will be finalized for adoption.  Click here to watch my speech on the Second Amendment Sovereignty Act.

Farm Safety Public Service Announcement

This week I highlighted the importance of putting safety first on farms and ranches. The strongest arguments made against the Department of Labor’s proposed rule dealing with youth working in agriculture were that parents are in the best position to keep their children safe, and local safety programs are best suited to train our young people. Now that the proposed rule has been withdrawn, farmers and ranchers need to live up to the standard we set. 

I encourage youth involved in agriculture to call their local county extension office to find a nearby farm safety program. To find more information about farm safety, click here to visit K-State Research and Extension’s ag safety website. You may also click here to listen to the public safety announcement. As harvest quickly approaches, I wish everyone a safe and productive wheat harvest.

Congratulating Kaw Valley Engineering on 30 Successful Years in Business

On Thursday evening, I was able to join local residents and members of Junction City’s Chamber of Commerce for a special event at Kaw Valley Engineering. This year, Kaw Valley is celebrating 30 successful years in business. Congrats to their team on such an accomplishment. When businesses succeed in Kansas, communities grow and our state’s economy is strengthened. Thanks for letting me join you in this wonderful celebration. Click here to view a photo from the event.

Promoting Kansas on New TV Channel: Destination America

On Memorial Day, Discovery Communications will launch a new cable network in 59 million homes, called Destination America to celebrate America’s past, present and future. This new channel will feature shows about food, travel, adventure and natural history to promote all that we love about our country. I recently recorded a segment to promote the Sunflower State that will air on Memorial Day weekend. You can watch the clip by clicking here. I’d encourage you to check your local TV listings to learn more about this new channel.

In the Office

This week we had several visitors in the Washington, D.C., office, including the Kansans listed below. Click here to view photos of some of the visits:

Kansas Academy of Family Physicians
Brandon Comfort of Minneapolis
Deborah Clements of Kansas City
Wakon Fowler of Pratt
Carolyn Gaughan of Wichita
Rick Kellerman of Wichita
Wendy Biggs of Overland Park

ALS Association – Keith Worthington Chapter
Sally Dwyer of Leawood
Emily Jennings of Prairie Village

University of Kansas
Ngondi Kamatuka of Lawrence

American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Sheryl Young of Leawood

American Heart Association
Rex Bruce of Sublette

American Association for Cancer Research
Roy Jensen of Kansas City
Jack Cline of Lawrence
Kansas Senator David Wysong of Mission Hills

Association of Critical Care Transport
Greg Hildenbrand of Topeka

Coalition for National Science Funding
Andrew McGowan of Manhattan
Chuck Rice of Manhattan

Command General Staff College Foundation
Bob Ulin of Ft. Leavenworth
Maria Koreckij of Ft. Leavenworth

National Grange
Nathan Strawder of Park City

Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Lynda Bonewald of Kansas City

Pheasants Forever, Inc
Moe Linden of Dighton
Jordan Martinich of Ottawa

Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association of Kansas
Tom Palace of Topeka
Curt Wright of Wellsville
Brad Thompson of Hutchinson
Scott Zaremba of Lawrence
Marvin Spees of Topeka

Hawker Beechcraft
Sam Huble of Wichita
Tim Franta of Wichita
Shelly Smith of Wichita
Shaun Junkins of Wichita
Brian Alexander of Wichita
Judy Pierce of Wichita

Kansas Society of CPA’s
Bob Schuster of Wichita
Dixie Larson of Wichita
Mary MacBain of Shawnee Mission
DeAnn Hill of Baxter Springs

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers AFL-CIO, Local Lodge 733
Joe Hicks of Andover
John Hilyards of Andover

City of Atchison
Mike Wilson of Atchison
Cary Stone of Atchison
Terry Keelley of Atchison
Trey Cocking of Atchison
Jerry Kuckelman of Atchison
Bill Delaney of Topeka
Cindy Wilson of Atchison
John Enzbrenner of Atchison

International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local Lodge 839
Stan Chapman of Wichita
Kathy Peterson of Wichita

Kansas Association of Realtors
Luke Bell of Lawrence
Moji Fanimokun of Wichita
Jon Fort of Garden City
Jim Gable of Prairie Village
Karen Gehle of Topeka
Jamie Holt of Wichita
Rob Husle of Lawrence
Brian Jones of Pittsburg
Steve LaRue of Lawrence
Carol Mangan of Coffeyville
Steve McCullough of Newton
Braden McCurdy of Wichita
Stephanie McCurdy of Wichita
Oliver Minnis of Lawrence
Dan Sight of Leawood
Ann Christian of Manhattan
Merynn Sighs of Leawood
Mike Mcgrer of Lawrence
Chris Mcbrew of Lawrence
Christ Roast of Salina
Liesel Kirk-Frink of Topeka

Mennonite Housing
Andy Bias of Wichita

American Travel Plazas and Truck Stops
Mark Augustine of Salina
Matt Mildenberger of Oakley
Guy Walker of Salina

National Limousine Association
Diane K. Forgy of Leawood
Bruce Heinrich of Overland Park 

SELEX Systems Integration Inc.
Mike M. Warner of Overland Park

Many Kansans stopped by to take a tour of the U.S. Capitol this week including:

Salina
Edward Engelbert of Salina
Cynthia Engelbert of Salina

Overland Park
Jonathan Cassat of Overland Park
Susan Cassat of Overland Park
Paul Cassat of Overland Park
Brian Pack of Overland Park
Jim Kidd of Overland Park
Martha Kid of Overland park

Cimarron
Shelly Mowry  of Cimarron

Abilene
Luther Griffin of Abilene
Teresa Griffin of Abilene

Hays
Jim Walters of Hays
Chris Walters of Hays
Jamie Walters of Hays
Jackie Walters of Hays

Bel Aire
Nathan Krug of Bel Aire
Christina Krug of Bel Aire
Kaley Krug of Bel Aire

Newton
Barry Lehman of Newton
Sharon Lehman of Newton

Olathe
Christian Zarif of Olathe

Leawood
Lillian Muehlberger of Leawood
Jay Smith of Leawood
Susan Dressman Smith of Leawood
Julian Smith of Leawood
Marguerite Smith of Leawood

Shawnee
Bernie Weimholt of Shawnee
Karene Weimholt of Shawnee

Contact Me

It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Please let me know how I can be of assistance. To send me an email, click here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C., office.

Very truly yours,

Jerry

My email address is only equipped to send messages. I encourage you to send me a message through my website: https://www.moran.senate.gov. To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please click here.