Happy 250th, America!
On Saturday, we celebrated 250 years of America’s independence. As we recognize the anniversary of America’s founding, we honor the generations of Americans who have served our nation in uniform and whose sacrifices have preserved our Constitution and the freedoms enshrined in it. Our civic responsibilities are to preserve the freedom and liberties guaranteed by our Constitution and keep the American Dream alive.

On Independence Day, it was great to be in Junction City for the Freedom Fest Parade. Despite the rainy weather, so many Kansans came out to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday. I enjoyed visiting with everyone and participating in their American spirit. Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us. May God bless America.


Announcing Federal Resources for Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation’s Timbers Apartments
On Monday, I was in Wichita to announce a federal investment for the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation (CPRF) of Kansas’ Timbers Housing Renovation Project, which provides affordable housing and resources for those with physical disabilities. Through my role on the Senate Committee on Appropriations, I helped secure $2.5 million in resources for facility upgrades that will provide residents with increased access to technology, community resources, transportation and medical appointments. This announcement builds on a previous $2.5 million investment I announced in 2024 to help preserve and rehabilitate residential living units at the facility.

I am grateful for the important work the Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation does for Kansans. Special thanks to those who played a role in this project, including CPRF CEO Pat Jonas, as well as his board of directors and staff. Thank you also to the local partners and elected officials, including Sedgwick County Commissioners Jeff Blubaugh and Pete Meitzner, as well as State Senator Oletha Faust-Goudeau.

You can read more from KWCH here.


Touring Spirit Defense’s Wichita Facility
On Monday, I visited Spirit Defense’s facility in Wichita for an update on their efforts to support our military’s capabilities. Spirit Defense is a part of Boeing’s new presence in Wichita and plays a key role in manufacturing next-generation equipment. I am grateful for the skilled workforce in Wichita that supports and equips our servicemembers through this work. I have regularly hosted military leaders and officials in Wichita to showcase our state’s world-class research and development capabilities. These visits have helped to expand the Wichita region’s standing as a leader in aerospace and defense, bringing well-paying jobs and investments to Kansas. Spirit Defense continues to deliver critical programs for the modern warfighter, and I look forward to the innovations still to come. Thank you to Spirit Defense CEO Keith Schrader for hosting me.


Ascension Via Christi Hospital – Manhattan
This week, I visited Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Manhattan and met with the new President and CEO Patrick Avila to congratulate him on his new role and discuss the health care needs of the region and see firsthand the capabilities of the facility. Ascension Via Christi Manhattan provides essential care to patients across the Flint Hills and plays an important role in strengthening access to health care for the surrounding rural communities. During my visit, we discussed the importance of investing in supporting the health care workforce, expanding access to care and making certain hospitals have the resources necessary to continue providing high-quality care close to home.

I appreciate the commitment of Patrick and the entire Ascension Via Christi Manhattan team to serving Kansans and for the opportunity to learn more about the important work taking place at the hospital.

Galva Community Visit
This week, I visited Galva, a community of about 834 citizens in McPherson County, to meet with Kansans in the community and hear from them about the issues that are important to the local region. During my visit, I stopped by Farmers State Bank, Galva City Hall and the local U.S. Post Office. I also visited Galva Senior Center, Home Communications and The Coffee Shed. Thank you to the Galva community for welcoming me and to all those who took the time to share their thoughts.

Supporting Action to Increase Fertilizer Availability
This week, President Trump declared an emergency regarding domestic fertilizer availability and temporarily suspended import duties on phosphate fertilizer imported from Morocco. This action is welcome news for Kansas farmers at a time when already high input costs have risen even further due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has disrupted global fertilizer supplies and limited access to key fertilizer ingredients. As the U.S. remains a net importer of fertilizer, I have consistently advocated for the needs of the agricultural industry to be taken into account when considering tariffs on essential inputs.

Supporting lower fertilizer costs for Kansas farmers has long been a priority for me, and I am pleased that the administration has acted to support American agriculture by providing this much needed relief. You can learn more about my efforts on this issue here.

Good News for Kansas Rural Health Providers
A recent RAND study found that Kansas health care providers are expected to take in more federal Medicaid funding and that Kansas is one of six states with a positive impact on its state Medicaid fund over the next ten years because of last year’s reconciliation legislation. During negotiations on last year’s reconciliation legislation, I worked to secure provisions to protect Kansas' provider assessment program and make certain the state's pending application could continue moving forward.

Last week, I announced the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare (CMS) approved Kansas’ application, opening the program to more rural hospitals to participate. This will also provide Kansas Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Emergency Hospitals with $83 million a year, which will help bolster rural hospital stability in Kansas. I will continue working to support efforts to improve access to affordable, quality care and provide rural hospitals with the stability needed to serve Kansans for years to come.

Read more from the Topeka Capital-Journal here.


Introducing Legislation to Honor NASA's Artemis II Crew
I recently legislation with Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-02) to award the Congressional Gold Medal – the highest civilian honor awarded by Congress – to the crew of Artemis II for their historic mission earlier this year. On April 1st, Artemis II embarked on a 9-day mission, where the astronauts traveled around the Moon and broke records by traveling farther from Earth than any humans in history. As we celebrate the mission’s success, we honor Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, alongside the NASA workforce whose contributions helped set new records in space exploration.

Artemis II demonstrated what is possible when NASA has the support, stability and direction needed to execute its mission. As chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee that funds NASA, I am committed to making certain America’s space program receives the resources needed to maintain U.S. leadership in space. In May, I hosted the Artemis II crew and NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on Capitol Hill to meet with members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, along with Claire Ludes, Senior Vice President & Chief Development Officer of the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson. You can watch a recap video from the event here.

America’s leadership in space would not be possible without the innovation, courage and dedication of the men and women who made this mission possible. Learn more and read the full Senate resolution in honor of Artemis II here.


Discussing Farm Bill & Increased Hospital Funding on KWBW Radio
It was great to join Marc Jacobs on KWBW Radio to discuss updates on the Senate Farm Bill, including my efforts to make certain the final Farm Bill includes my legislation to permanently transfer Food for Peace to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – a move that would benefit Kansas farmers and expand markets for U.S. agricultural commodities. We also discussed how last year's reconciliation legislation is helping strengthen rural hospitals and providers in Kansas, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) recent approval of Kansas’ application to increase payments for Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Emergency Hospitals.

You can listen to the full interview with Marc Jacobs on KWBW Radio here.


Working  to Deliver Major Legislation to Benefit America’s Veterans
This  week, I spoke with Douglas Lindsay with Military.com to discuss the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, which includes numerous bipartisan, bicameral bills from the Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs. This comprehensive legislation delivers long-awaited improvements to the health care and benefits for countless veterans, servicemembers, survivors, caregivers and military family members. You can read the full article from Military.com here.


Recognizing National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month
June is National Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month. PTSD is not a trial that has to be faced alone. We must continue to raise awareness of the resources available to help support those who have served and sacrificed.

You can learn more about available resources here.


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

Tarren Bails of Sterling

Brandon and Dena Barr of Deerfield

April and Davi Brooks of Sterling

Ivonne Calvillo of Liberal

Caryn, Jackson and Vernon Clements of Overland Park

Everly, James, Jamie, Kevin and Lauren Cook of Liberal

Danielle, David, Henry and Raelynn Deters of Shawnee

Amanda, Grant and Will Doane of Prairie Village

Jason and Jennifer Dougherty of Garden City

Abigail, Bret, Gabriel and Isaac Heinz of Wichita

Debra, Mike and Kyle Henning of Hutchinson

Collin, Dustin, Jordan, Landon and Regan Holthaus of Wamego

Grace, Grant, Joanna and Olivia Howe of Manhattan

Amy, Ben and Zeke Kraft of Hutchinson

Alexa, Jaxson, Lacey and Zachary Ledwich of Wichita

Connor, Janelle, Kyle, Logan and Rowan Matthews of Topeka

Andreas and Loren Meyer of Hutchinson

Michal Nadrowski of Shawnee

Chigozie Okuagu of Overland Park

Oscar Palacios Ontiveros of Liberal

Audra and Joseph Ramirez of Topeka

Braden and Sarah Sell of Derby

Braelynn, James, Michaela and Trisha Skupa of Wellington

Aidan, Joshua, Josiah, Madylynn and Rachel Strohm of Olathe

Larry and Paula Swan of Liberal

Galen and Kristin Thorsell of Wamego

Children’s Advocacy Centers of Kansas

Lynette Cimino of Topeka

Annie Garrelts of Wichita

Emma Grossoehme of Ottawa

Jane Holzrichter of Hutchinson

McKynley Larson of Topeka

Paula McNutt of Wichita

Bethany Phelps of Wichita

Klarissa Ponce of Wichita

Erine Porter of Manhattan

Judi Rodman of Shawnee

Diana Schunn of Wichita

Skylor Yeager of Ottawa

Fort Hays State University

Paul Adams of Hays

Madeline Byerly of Hays

Samantha Sharp of Council Grove

Janet Stramel of Hays

Zebulun Wallsmith of Colby

Horizons Mental Health Center

Betty Bachman of Hutchinson

Jake Holzrichter of Hutchinson

United Nations Foundations

Suzanne DePetro of Overland Park

Rachel McCave of Wichita