Hello,

Welcome to “Kansas Common Sense.” Thanks 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.

Visiting the Renovated Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum
On Wednesday, I visited the newly-renovated Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene. The Eisenhower Foundation and US National Archives recently completed the multi-million dollar renovation with the help of many generous Kansas donors – and this work has truly transformed the space in Abilene. The Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum are a reminder that the ideals that were important to Kansans during Eisenhower’s life and presidency are still relevant today.

Thank you to Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum Director Dawn Hammatt and Eisenhower Foundation Board of Directors Member Kyle Campbell for their tour of this Kansas landmark. I am pleased that another generation of Kansans and Americans will have the chance to be inspired by and learn from General Eisenhower’s life and service to our nation. Read more on my visit in the Abilene Reflector-Chronicle here.

Speaking to the Fairfax Industrial Association Luncheon
This week, I spoke to the Fairfax Industrial Association, which represents businesses and employees of the Fairfax District in Kansas City, Kansas. Fairfax is the first planned industrial district in the country and currently houses over 130 businesses, over 10,000 employees and generates more than $5.4 billion in annual sales – making this district essential to the regional economy. I was pleased to join business leaders and employees to discuss items important to Fairfax, including work on the KC levees project and federal regulations for utilities. I discussed my strong support and work to pass USMCA so that businesses across Fairfax – and the state of Kansas – have more export markets to sell their products.

Thank you to FIA Board Member Joe Vaught for coordinating the meetings, and thank you to FIA Board President Mike Martin and all FIA members for their hospitality.

Attending the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association Reception
On Sunday, I participated in the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association's (KIOGA) 82nd annual convention in Wichita. KIOGA was established in 1937 to promote and improve the economic conditions for the independent oil industry. I enjoyed visiting with our state’s independent oil and gas producers about policies taking shape in Congress that affect our national energy policy, the businesses that employ so many Kansans and consumers at the pump. Thank you to Chairman Ken White and President Ed Cross for the invitation. 

Pressing HHS Secretary Azar on Proposed Changes to Kidney, Pancreas Allocation Policies
This week, Senator Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and I sent a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar to express our deep concerns over the decision by the Organ Procurement and Transportation Network (OPTN) to alter policies for allocating kidneys and pancreases used in transplants. This short-sighted decision mirrors an earlier OPTN liver allocation policy change, which is currently being defended in court by HHS. This ongoing lawsuit has resulted in a judge-mandated injunction against the implementation of this flawed liver policy.

This ineffective HHS oversight of the OPTN and the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) risks Kansans’ continued access to liver transplants. Expanding this flawed policy, one that rewards historically low-performing organ procurement organizations, ignores the most pressing issue: a shortage of organs for transplantation particularly impacting areas with low donation rates.

As shown by President Trump’s recent kidney policy actions, it is critical to reform organ procurement in order to improve access to transplanted organs across the country. This flawed policy proposal by the OPTN blocks the president’s efforts and harms high-donation areas such as the Midwest by shifting resources without solving the critical issues facing our country’s organ donation and allocation process.

Continuing my Kansas Listening Tour
Cheyenne County
On Monday, I hosted a number of Listening Tour stops across the Northwest portion of the state. In Cheyenne County, I joined folks in St. Francis where we discussed a number of issues including trade and my work to pass USMCA and increase market access for our farmers, ranchers and manufacturers. We also discussed veterans’ healthcare, the need for community mental health resources, the Senate’s efforts to increase rural broadband coverage and the importance of rural healthcare. Thanks to all those from across Cheyenne County who joined me for this meeting and to State Senator Rick Billinger for attending.

Rawlins County
In Rawlings County, I was in Atwood for a Kansas Listening Tour stop at the Rawlins County Health Center. During this meeting, we discussed the recently-implemented VA MISSION Act that will expand veterans’ access to healthcare in the community, the importance of foreign market access for our ag producers, the Senate’s work to curb the rising costs of prescription drugs and the importance of rural healthcare. Thanks to Rawlins County Health Center CEO Ronald Robinson for his hospitality and for attending.

Decatur County
In Decatur County, I joined local residents at the Oberlin American Legion for a stop on my Listening Tour. During this meeting we discussed veterans’ healthcare and my work to make certain they receive the care and benefits they have earned, my work on rural development and the number of factors that impact the future of small towns across our state, rural healthcare, education and trade and the need to pass USMCA.

Thanks to the many folks who came out to share their thoughts with me.

Cloud County
On Friday, I visited the Concordia American Legion to hold a Listening Tour stop with over 50 Cloud County residents. We discussed a number of issues including veterans’ healthcare, mental health issues, the importance of passing the USMCA trade agreement, and local topics including the nearby airport and hospital. I and my staff are working closely with community leaders and the Federal Aviation Administration to enhance and upgrade the airport infrastructure so local businesses and the hospital can fully utilize this important community asset.

I was pleased to congratulate Cloud County Community College (CCCC) President Adrian Douglas on CCCC topping the annual list by SmartAsset of best community colleges in the country. Thank you to Kansas State Representative Susan Concannon and other community members for joining me to discuss these important issues.

Now Accepting Service Academy Nomination Applications
Each year, I have the honor of appointing Kansans to the following academies: U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. With the school year fast approaching, we are now accepting applications from qualified high school seniors.

Eligible applicants must be:

• a resident of Kansas
• unmarried citizens of the United States with no dependents
• at last 17 years old, but not past their 23rd birthday on July 1st of the year they wish to be admitted

You can apply for the class of 2024 by going to my website here to download an application. In order to be considered for an interview by Senator Moran’s Service Academy Screening Board, the application must be received in the Olathe office by September 6, 2019. If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Dethloff by phone at 913-393-0711 or by email at lisa_dethloff@moran.senate.gov with any questions.

Kansans in the Office

Capitol Tour
Piper Alexander of Council Grove
Christina Alexander of Council Grove
Robert Alexander of Council Grove
Naomi Anderson of Shawnee
Julie Bachman of Wichita
Rita Barnard of Topeka
Vicki Carter of Derby
Michael Carter of Derby
Maggie Chapin of Shawnee
Kristen Chapin of Shawnee
Charlee Conroy of Derby
Katelyn Doering of Shawnee
Jennifer Doering of Shawnee
Darren Eichinger of Parsons
Jennifer Eichinger of Parsons
Darren Foltz of Manhattan
Jennifer Foltz of Manhattan
Brady Foltz of Manhattan
Camden Foltz of Manhattan
Drew Foltz of Manhattan
Kent Glasscock of Manhattan
Chase Glasscock of Manhattan
Creighton Glasscock of Manhattan
Tom Jarvis of Wichita
Robin Kistler of Lake Quivira
Natalie Kistler of Lake Quivira
Brian Kynaston of McPherson
Emily Kynaston of McPherson
Taylor Kynaston of McPherson
Jessie Kynaston of McPherson
Lexi Kynaston of McPherson
Kelcie Kynaston of McPherson
Kirstin Salzman of Mission Hills
Caroline Salzman of Mission Hills
Tom Sewell of Independence
Karen Sewell of Independence
Jason Stubbs of Wichita
Amy Stubbs of Wichita
Ethan Stubbs of Wichita
Camden Stubbs of Wichita
Lisa Taylor of Shawnee
McKenna Taylor of Shawnee
Raul Vargas of Atwood
Ana Vargas of Atwood
Maryra Vargas of Atwood
Ethan Vargas of Atwood
Kaitlynne Vargas of Atwood
Julissa Vargas of Atwood
Vivianne Vargas of Atwood
Sheldon Wheaton of Olathe
Matthew Wheaton of Olathe
Jerry Wickline of Eureka
Ruth Wickline of Eureka

Honored to Serve You in Washington
It is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a letter, a Facebook comment, or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard.

Please let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email by clicking 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