Happy Father’s Day
I hope it was a happy Father’s Day for all the dads who celebrated this weekend. Being a father and a grandfather are some of the greatest blessings in my life, and I am grateful to my dad for the influence he had on my life.


Passed Committee: Legislation to Support College Sports
On Thursday, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation passed the Protect College Sports Act of 2026, legislation aimed at stabilizing college sports. During the markup, I thanked Kansas State University Athletic Director Gene Taylor, University of Kansas Athletic Director Travis Goff and Wichita State University Athletic Director Kevin Saal for their hard work and engagement, and I raised the importance of local broadcast options for college games. It is my priority to make certain that communities in Kansas can continue to watch and cheer on their local teams. I also worked to secure stronger protections in the legislation for Olympic sports at our universities and colleges, building on my previous efforts to reform and strengthen safeguards for Olympic and amateur athletes. I will continue to advocate for the needs of Kansans as Congress considers college sports legislation.

You can watch my full remarks during the hearing here.


Urging Treasury Secretary Bessent to Reinstate Russian Oil Sanctions
Before its expiration this past Wednesday, I urged Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to reject any extension of waivers for certain Russian oil sales and to reinstate the sanctions announced last October. While there is little evidence that American consumers have significantly benefited from the availability of Russian crude over the last three months, it is indisputable that the Russian government has earned billions of dollars in revenue free from sanctions. In President Trump's pursuit to end fighting in Ukraine, the imposition of sanctions on Russian oil sales last fall had a severe impact on Russian oil exports, by both reducing foreign markets and forcing Moscow to offer steep discounts to remaining purchasers.

In March, I spoke on the Senate floor about the importance of maintaining pressure on Russia and Iran through oil sanctions. The first sanctions waiver was issued by the Treasury Department on March 5th, and the most recent waiver expired this week. With the news of the imminent reopening of the Persian Gulf to commercial traffic, renewing the waiver would fail to advance our nation’s interests.

You can learn more here.

Introducing Legislation to Modernize the National Guard
On Tuesday, I introduced the bipartisan Duty Status Reform Act with Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.). This comprehensive legislation would modernize the National Guard by consolidating and streamlining its outdated duty status framework. This legislation will simplify the duty status system, standardize pay and benefits across statuses and strengthen mission execution, making certain our soldiers remain vigilant and ready to answer the call at a moment's notice.

Our soldiers in Kansas and around the country play vital roles in defending our nation, and today their missions are expanding and evolving at an unprecedented pace. Despite this growing reliance, the current duty status system remains fragmented and overly complex, causing unnecessary administrative delays, an issue I raised directly with Chief of the National Guard Bureau General Steven Nordhaus during the National Guard and Reserve FY2027 budget hearing earlier this year. I am grateful for the partnership of my colleagues in both the Senate and the House as we work together to make certain our military can effectively execute its duty to protect our country.

You can learn more here and read more from the Kansas Reflector here.

Meeting with Sons of The American Legion National Commander
On Tuesday, I met with William “Bill” Clancy III, the National Commander of the Sons of The American Legion (SAL). During the meeting, we discussed the importance of prioritizing veterans’ mental health, supporting their needs and making certain that the Department of Veterans Affairs is meeting veterans where they are. Thank you to Bill for taking the time to meet with me. As a current Sons of The American Legion member through my father, a World War II veteran, I look forward to continuing to work with SAL and The American Legion to improve the lives of veterans in Kansas and across the country.

Learn more about the Sons of the American Legion and potential eligibility here.


Support for the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act
Last week, I introduced the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act, major legislation that delivers long-awaited improvements to the health care and benefits that thousands of veterans, servicemembers, survivors, caregivers and military family members rely on. The package includes numerous bipartisan, bicameral bills, including the Major Richard Star Act, the Veterans’ ACCESS Act, the Love Lives On Act and other widely supported priorities from the Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs.

This legislation has received support from veterans, advocacy groups and others. Supporters include Major Richard Star’s surviving brother David Star, AMVETS, Vietnam Veterans of America, The American Legion, Gold Star Spouses, TAPS, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and many other critical veteran support organizations. I appreciate their support for the legislation, and I look forward to seeing it pass the Senate and House and be signed into law.


Discussing the Upcoming Mission with Artemis III Crew
This week, I called the recently announced Artemis III crew – Commander Randy Bresnik, Pilot Luca Parmitano, Mission Specialist Andre Douglas and Mission Specialist Frank Rubio, to congratulate them on their selection and thank them for their role in advancing this new era of space exploration. I also thanked their families, as this mission means these astronauts will be spending time away from their loved ones, and I want them to know that I recognize the sacrifices they are making to support them. During our conversation, I invited the astronauts to visit Kansas to tour the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, which their colleagues on the Artemis II crew have called the best space museum in the world.

Meeting with Kansans
Electric Cooperative Youth Tour
On Tuesday, I met with a group of Kansas students visiting Washington, D.C., as part of NRECA's Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. This program has brought rural high school students to our nation’s capital every June since the late 1950s, offering them a firsthand look at public service and civic engagement. Students are selected by their local electric cooperatives, and the program now includes more than 1,500 participants from 44 states. I continue to be impressed by the students representing Kansas and appreciate the opportunity to meet with them annually. Their dedication to learning about public service, government and preserving the Kansas way of life is inspiring.

Thank you to the Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., delegates, Aiden Aschenbrenner of Ellis, Lexi Averhoff of Garden City, Lakyn Beckman of Ellsworth, Spencer Beckman of Grinnell, Abigail Blundell of Cheney, Jarrett Bootsma of Wichita, Katelyn Burger of Johnson, Reygan Coonrod of Ellsworth, Goran Djurovic of Belle Plaine, Talia Flores of Ulysses, Katherine Hester of Cherryvale, Maria Limones of Bazine, Arielle Lindeen of Summerfield, Gracyn Monroe of Protection, Nicholas Naranjo of Liberal, Lucas Pauly of Conway Springs, Audriana Pena of Ulysses, Adeline Robinson of Dodge City, Jule Rolf of Westphalia, Owen Russell of Courtland, Eva Sharma of Dodge City, Isabelle Shipley of Norwich, Reid Stamper of Plainville, Kasen Stramel of Winona, Shelby Summervill of Marion, Addison Thorne of Perry and Karlee Whipple of Kalvesta for visiting with me. A special thank you to Sarah Madden of El Dorado, Kyle Madden of El Dorado and Shana Read of Topeka for helping make the trip possible for these students.


Kansas State University Salina
On Wednesday, I met with members of Kansas State University Salina to discuss their priorities and receive an update on current projects at the campus. During the meeting, we discussed updates to the Pure Imagination Labs that are currently in development at the university. We also spoke about the important role K-State Salina plays in the aerospace ecosystem by providing the training and resources necessary to prepare the next generation for future careers. Thank you to Dean Alysia Starkey, J.R. Claeys and Josh Wexler for meeting with me.


Kansas Association of Realtors
On Wednesday, I met with the Kansas Association of Realtors to discuss the state of the Kansas housing market and the challenges many families face in achieving homeownership. We talked about the Senate’s efforts to advance the comprehensive, bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which includes my Streamlining Rural Housing Act to support rural housing development by cutting unnecessary regulatory barriers for builders. This package also contains three bills I cosponsored to expand housing access in rural communities, reduce outdated federal housing bureaucracy and increasing veterans’ access to affordable housing. We also discussed the broader economic issues affecting Kansans and the importance of strengthening development across the state. I remain committed to advocating for policies that increase housing access and open new pathways to the American dream of homeownership.

Thank you to Kansas Association of Realtors President James Sauder and Jon Fort of Emporia; Jeana and Marvin Anliker of Garden City; Christian Barnes, Denise Humphrey, Ed Jaskinia and Sydney West of Overland Park; Cheri Barrington, Darren Beckham, Maranda DeSanto and Mark Tomb of Topeka; John Brocker of Iola; Jeff Carson, Jeffrey Hill, Jana Larsen, Monica Miller and James Toy of Leawood; Wendy Carter, Myron Klaassen, Natalie Moyer, Jon Quincy, Sheila Rumsey and Gentry Thiesen of Wichita; Kipp Cooper, Jordan Darweesh and Andrew Mall of Kansas City; Kyrsten Day of Junction City, Katy Forrest and Henry Lobaugh of Olathe; Thomas Howe, Jamie and Rob Hulse, Steve LaRue, Erin Maigaard, Michael McGrew and Crystal Swearingen of Lawrence, Margaret Rezek of Manhattan; Chris Rost of Salina and Missy Tew of Valley Falls for meeting with me.


Frankfort High School
This week, I met with a group of Frankfort High School students while they were on a tour of the U.S. Capitol. I recently toured Frankfort High School this past April where I spoke with students, faculty and staff about the opportunities the school provides for Frankfort-area students. I appreciated hearing about their experiences in Washington, D.C., and their interests, goals and future career paths. Thank you to each of these Kansans for taking the time to speak with me during their visit.

If you are interested in touring the U.S. Capitol or other federal buildings in Washington, D.C., click here.


Visits Across Kansas
Phillips County Hospital
On Friday, I visited Phillipsburg to announce federal resources for the Phillips County Health System. Through my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee, I secured a $675,000 federal investment to help the hospital upgrade its surgical center and meet health care standards. Rural health care providers play a critical role in supporting small towns across Kansas, and this project will help make certain patients in Phillips County can continue to receive quality care close to home.

Thank you to Phillips County Health Systems CEO Tara Overmiller and all the leadership and staff at the hospital for their continued commitment to providing high-quality care and for hosting me today. A special thank you to Operating Room Supervisor Jennifer Brumbagh, Sterile Processing Technician LaDonna Hilburn and Foundation Director Caleb Breon for taking the time to visit with me and for their efforts to keep Kansans healthy.


Glade Community
Prior to my visit to Phillipsburg on Friday, I stopped by Tripple C Café in Glade to speak with community members there. I appreciated hearing from residents on issues affecting their community. Thank you to Ricky Slade Bandt, Courtney Winters and all who met with me for their time and conversation.


Hays Community
This week, I traveled to Hays to meet with Kansans in the community. During my visit, I visited Midland Marketing Cooperative, Hays Community Assistance Center and AutoWorld. I also appreciated visiting Breathe Coffee House, Augustine’s Bakery, Salon 1007 and Master Cleaners. Thank you to the entire Hays community for the warm welcome and to all those who met with me.

Downs Community
Later on Friday, I stopped by Downs to meet with members of the community. I visited Midway Cooperative, Scoular Grain and Cushing Insurance Agency. I also spoke with Kansans at Brush Art and Domoney Furniture. This weekend, the Downs community was holding their annual Downs Celebration community festival. While I was unfortunately not able to attend, I appreciated visiting with folks and hearing about local happenings. Thank you to everyone who took time to meet with me.


Good News: USDA Opens Applications for Research Facilities Act Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on Tuesday that the FY2026 funding opportunity for the Research Facilities Act Program is now open. The program, funded through last year’s reconciliation bill, will receive $125 million annually to address deferred maintenance and accelerate modernization of agricultural research facilities nationwide. I led the Augmenting Research and Educational Sites to Ensure Agriculture Remains Cutting-edge and Helpful (AG RESEARCH) Act with Sen. Hirono (D-Hawaii) to expand mandatory funding for this program and the inclusion of this was one of my top priorities during reconciliation negotiations. This investment strengthens institutions like Kansas State University, supports cutting-edge agricultural research and reinforces our nation’s food security. Universities have until July 17, 2026, to apply, and more information is available here.

On-Base Housing Upgrades for Fort Leavenworth
Fort Leavenworth is one of America's most storied military installations: the oldest continuously operating post west of the Mississippi River and a cornerstone of our nation's defense for nearly 200 years. The men and women stationed there, and the families who support them, deserve housing that reflects their sacrifice and service, and I have supported investments that improve the quality of life for our servicemembers. I am pleased that construction has begun on the "New Kansa" development, 48 brand-new townhomes providing modern, quality housing for military families at Fort Leavenworth for the first time since 1959. These updates are long overdue and will better support our troops and their families, building on recent improvements such as the federal investment I helped secure for the new on-base childcare center at Fort Leavenworth. As Co-chair of the Senate Army Caucus, I will continue working alongside Army leadership to meet the needs of the servicemembers stationed in Kansas and the communities that support them.

Recognizing Juneteenth
On June 19, 1865, news that the Civil War had ended reached Galveston Bay, Texas, bringing long-awaited freedom to the last enslaved African Americans in the U.S. and marking the end of slavery in our nation. Kansas played an important role in the fight against slavery and for civil rights for all Americans. As we recognize Juneteenth, may we continue to strive toward a more perfect union.


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

Coreyson Adams of Topeka

Caleb Bagby of Topeka

Cooper Bentley of Baldwin City

Jessica Berg of Lawrence

Marley, Rhys, Ryder and Tammy Brading of Topeka

Adilyn, Erin, Noah and Travis Brown of Topeka

Patricia Chappell of Hutchinson

Savannah Christian of Lawrence

Victor Cox of Hutchinson

Jennifer, Mace, Makenzie and Michael Cuper of Topeka

Sonja Czarnecki of Lawrence

Jordan Darweesh of Olathe

Dylan Domangue of Wichita

Bryanna Dowty of Topeka

Elise Farmer of Lawrence

Ben, Gabby, Graham and Kristina Figuerres of Topeka

Levi Hanna of Baldwin City

Olivia Hanses of Overland Park

Hunter and Nickie Harding of Baldwin City

Lora Hartwick of Lawrence

Caleb and Emily Hidy of Topeka

Abby, Declan, Oliver and Ryan Hodges of Olathe

Jamie and Rob Hulse of Baldwin City

Aiyeong Jang of Lawrence

Brady Kalb of Lawrence

Allison, Chloe and Clint Karges of Overland Park

Dustin, Nicole and Quaid Karr of Topeka

Kevin King of Wichita

Kelsey, Kristin and Sophia Kinney of Overland Park

Jett Lavalette of Lawrence

Emily and Justin Lindsley of Ellsworth

Jayden Lister of Baldwin City

Henry Lobaugh of Overland Park

Alexandra, Aubrey, Daniel, Erin and Katharine Lopez-Couto of Olathe

Erin Maigaard of Baldwin City

Kylie, Owen and Shawna Martin of Topeka

Tinsley Maycock of Topeka

Keaton Menyarelli of Topeka

Asher Morgan of Lawrence

Blake, Bradley, Caitlin and Isaac Muth of Derby

Jennifer Nash of Overland Park

Briar, Jamison, Millie, Paisely and Samantha O’Malley of Overland Park

Jim Paradise of Overland Park

Brent, Everly, Greyson and Lindsay Pechanec of Wichita

Kate Poindexter of Lawrence

Heather and McKenzie Price of Baldwin City

Adam, Lana and Teryn Rhodes of Topeka

Roger Riemann of Eudora

James Rose of Baldwin City

Jeff Schuh of Topeka

Pragati, Rajeev and Rishik Sinha of Topeka

Kate Sloyer of Topeka

Mike and Paige Smasal of Baldwin City

Sloane Spader of Lawrence

Scout and Sidney Stump of Lawrence

Alice and Randy Tanking of Wetmore

Grant and Tami Wade of Topeka

Ayden Wahla of Lawrence

Brent and Cara Waycock of Topeka

Sydney West of Overland Park

Polly and Steven Whitfield of Olathe

Daegan Willis of Baldwin City

Francesca Woolverton of Lawrence

AdventHealth

Molly Haase of Shawnee Mission

Susana Molina of Shawnee Mission

American Academy of Family Physicians

Tariah Brown of Lawrence

Bether Oller of Lawrence

Cingulate Inc.

Tom Dalton of Kansas City

Shane Schaffer of Kansas City

Envision Inc.

Lou Celli of Wichita

Javelin Global Commodities

Jerrod Freund of Wichita

Kansas State University

Alysia Starkey of Salina

Everytown for Gun Safety

LaTonya Boyd of Topeka

Andrea Burgess of Parsons

Avid Carttar of Lawrence

Claudia Olea of Lawrence

Katie Mangelsdorf of Lenexa

Terese Quenette of Lenexa

Ranee Runnebaum of Lenexa

Mary Snipes of Junction City

Ann Williamson of Topeka

Pure Imagination

J.R. Claeys of Salina

Joshua Wexler of Salina

Tekniam Inc.

Andrew Heaton of Lenexa