Kansas Common Sense

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.
  

Introducing Legislation to Honor Fallen Big Red One Soldiers
This week, I introduced legislation that formally recognizes and honors all fallen Big Red One soldiers by authorizing the addition of their names to the First Division Monument located on White House grounds in Washington, D.C. Since 1917, Big Red One soldiers have fought bravely to preserve freedom for all and there is no group more worthy of being honored than those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation. The First Division Monument was developed by the Society of the First Division and I am working with them to make certain that the names of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in Operations Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn and Enduring Freedom join the names of those lives we’ve lost in World War II, the Vietnam War and Desert Storm. Click here to read more on this legislation and the monument itself.

Kansas City Area Support Continues to Build for Startup Act
The Startup Act is bipartisan jobs legislation I introduced last month that would encourage innovation and new business development. This legislation has received praise from numerous Kansas City area business, foundations and individuals including Sprint Corporation, Garmin, the Kansas City Startup Foundation, the Enterprise Center of Johnson County and the Angel Capital Association. To see what they are saying and to learn more about this widely-supported bipartisan bill, click here

The State of the Union
The State of the Union is a longstanding tradition that allows a president to lay out his or her agenda in front of Congress and the American people. I was pleased to hear the President discuss several issues important to Kansans and sensible measures Congress can and should work together on to accomplish in the upcoming year.

President Trump was right to focus on rebuilding our nation’s crumbling infrastructure – an issue that can garner broad support from Republicans and Democrats in both the House and Senate – which ought to include a plan to expand broadband in rural areas. I was also pleased to hear the president’s commitment to work with Congress to ratify the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement and expand trade for Kansas farmers and ranchers, expediently implement the VA MISSION Act to help provide our veterans with accessible healthcare, lower the rising cost of healthcare and prescription medication, and aggressively fight cancer and deadly diseases. Additionally, I share the President’s goal of better securing our borders and I was pleased he did not declare a national emergency at our border, instead opting to allow Congress to continue our work and negotiate a solution.

President Trump’s message regarding his hope for bipartisan policy achievements was an important step in the right direction, and I am committed to working with my colleagues and the administration on delivering positive results for Kansans and for the American people.

Voting to Support our Allies in the Middle East
On Tuesday, the Senate passed the first bill introduced this Congress, S. 1, the Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act. In the midst of instability throughout the region, it is imperative to offer assurance and assistance to our allies. This legislation would provide critical defensive and economic support to Israel and Jordan, as well as seek to end the humanitarian catastrophe in Syria. Additionally, it expresses that Al Qaeda and ISIS continue to represent grave threats to American security and that it would be a mistake to withdraw U.S. forces from Syria without a strategy to ensure their defeat. I recently spoke with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and we agree that our nation’s commitment to the region must not be questioned by our friends and foes.

Happy Birthday, Ronald Reagan
During his 1982 Landon Lecture at Kansas State University, President Ronald Reagan said the following words:

“There is a tonic: visit a state where tall wheat and prairie grass reach toward a wide open sky; be with people who are keeping our frontier spirit alive, people who work the soil but still have time to dream beyond the farthest stars; here in the heartland of America lives the hope of the world, and here words like "entrepreneur," "self-reliance," "personal initiative," and, yes, "generosity" describe everyday facts of life.”

Kansans know these words to be true still to this day, and especially last Wednesday, when we celebrated President Reagan’s birthday. Happy Birthday to Ronald Reagan, whose leadership brought about a renewed sense of optimism and hope during his time as our president.

Senate Unanimously Passes my Resolution Honoring 100 Years of Farm Bureau
This week, the Senate unanimously passed my resolution that honored and recognized the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) for reaching their 100th anniversary and for the important work they do across our country. In Kansas, Farm Bureau members work tirelessly to improve our communities and advocate for production agriculture. In the nearly 45,000 miles I traveled across Kansas last year, I witnessed their sense of care and compassion at every turn. Last month, I had the opportunity to attend the 100th AFBF Annual Convention and speak about the importance of trade to Kansas and the country, as well rural healthcare. I am grateful for AFBF's partnership as we work to advance agriculture, and I look forward to continuing our work on the important issues facing our farmers and ranchers.

 

Meeting with National Rural Health Association and Future Rural Physicians
On Monday, while meeting with the National Rural Health Association, I visited with students from the University of Kansas School of Medicine who are planning careers specifically in rural medicine. We spoke about a number of issues impacting the delivery of healthcare in rural areas, including the 340b drug program, reforming graduate medical education, increasing the number of available physicians serving rural areas and the continued negative impact of sequestration. In a time where rural hospitals struggle to remain open, these inspiring students represent the compassionate nature of our state and I am grateful for their service and desire to give back to our rural communities.

 

Continuing to Push for Answers Regarding Changes to Liver Transplantation Allocation Policies
Last week, I spoke on the Senate floor regarding recent actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that would allow an organ procurement organization, LiveOnNY, to resume their work after having been previously rejected by CMS due to poor performance. This action comes on the heels of recent policy changes by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) and the United Network for Organ Sharing that would leave patients at Kansas City-area hospitals waiting longer for liver transplants, while sending locally-donated livers to people in other regions of the country. The policy change clearly would not fix the long-term issue of low donation rates in areas outside of Kansas and Kansas City, such as New York. The policy change at hand simply doesn’t make sense, and punishing areas with high organ donation rates – like ours – by sending them to far-off coastal states, especially to noncompliant organizations like LiveOnNY, would result in longer wait times and potentially unnecessary American deaths. We need a long-term solution to this multifaceted problem, but this is not it. I will continue to push CMS, OPTN and affiliated organizations to take responsibility for these failures as we work toward a solution that increases liver donations nationwide to benefit all Americans without hurting Kansas patients and donors. To watch my floor remarks, click here.

 

Meeting with Leaders of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This week, I met with leadership from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA is the primary Federal agency responsible for monitoring, understanding and predicting changes in the Earth’s environment. Part of our discussion focused on NOAA’s role in monitoring life-threatening weather events, and the importance of relaying these storm alerts to Americans. As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, which includes funding jurisdiction over NOAA, I look forward to working with these officials from NOAA.

Additionally, I met with Barry Myers, the President's nominee to be the next NOAA Administrator. We spoke about his experience in the private sector and his plans for NOAA if he were to become the next administrator. Additionally, I conveyed the importance of NOAA’s weather and climate forecast role, which is imperative to our farmers and agriculture community. 

Honoring 150 Years of Lindsborg, Kansas
On Tuesday, I introduced a resolution alongside Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) and Rep. Roger Marshall (KS-01) honoring the 150th anniversary of Lindsborg, Kansas. Lindsborg is a town full of rich culture and history, whose residents today still embody the perseverance of the settlers who first made Lindsborg home 150 years ago. I am always struck by the kindness of Lindsborg residents, and every time I visit, I leave thinking, ‘I could live here.’ I am pleased to help celebrate this exciting milestone in the town’s history and we look forward to what’s still to come. To view more on this resolution, click here.

 

Meeting with Kansas Ag Retailers
On Tuesday, I met with representatives from the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) and the Kansas Grain and Feed Association (KGFA). We discussed the importance of trade to Kansas producers and grain handlers, as well as transportation, infrastructure and labor issues that affect the Kansas economy. Trade directly effects Kansas ag retailers, underscoring how important it is for Congress to pass the United States-Canada-Mexico Trade Agreement. I appreciate ARA and KGFA coming to Washington to make their members’ voices heard, and I look forward to working with them on the issues that matter most to Kansas producers.

 

Meeting with Alfalfa Growers and Receiving Congressional Award
On Wednesday, I met with representatives from the National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance (NAFA), and was honored to receive their Congressional Award for my work on behalf of Kansas alfalfa farmers. During our meeting, we discussed the importance of the research involving alfalfa, including the work being done in Kansas. As a member of the Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee, I’ve worked to increase agriculture research on crops that are important to our state and nation. I appreciate the important work of NAFA, and I look forward to working with them in the future to advocate for Kansas farmers.

  

Now Accepting Summer Internship Applications
My own interest in public service was sparked by an internship for Kansas First District Congressman Keith Sebelius in 1974. As an intern, I had the chance to learn firsthand how a Congressional office operates and how the legislative process works. I am proud to be able to offer this same opportunity in my Senate office today, where I have interns year-round working closely with my staff on behalf of Kansans.

Applications for internships in my Washington, D.C. and Kansas offices for summer 2019 session are due March 1. Congressional internships are open to qualified undergraduate and graduate students who have an interest in public service and have achieved academic excellence. Click here for more information and to apply.

Kansans in the Office
Representative Sharice Davids
Kansas Majority Leader Representative Dan Hawkins
Kansas State Treasurer Jake LaTurner
Bill Shroyer of Sabetha
Allan Soetaert of Gardner

Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Sunee Mickle

Capitol Tour
Destanee Brigman-Reed of Hutchinson
Breanna Colborn of Hutchinson
Seth Dewey of Hutchinson
Taylor Lang of Hutchinson
Tyler Lang of Hutchinson
Kadin Leckliter of Hutchinson
Allison Link of Hutchinson
Mike Link of Hutchinson
Alex Mahoney of Hutchinson
Angie Mahoney of Hutchinson
Abbey Pemberton of Hutchinson
Carla Smith of Hutchinson
Caddie Vogel of Hutchinson
Jocelyn Yates of Hutchinson 

Children’s Mercy
Paul Kempinski of Leawood
Genny Nicholas of Kansas City

Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
Renee Carrion of Wichita
Vicki Gieber of Abeline
Claire Hardman of Wichita
Sarah Robinson of Wichita
Dave Sotelo of Topeka

Humane Society
Carlota M. Alegria 

Kansas Grain and Feed Association/Agricultural Retailers Association
Doug Catt of Shawnee
Mike Hofer of Smith Center
James Jirak of Udall
Lance Nelson of Greensburg
Clark Pearson of Osage City

Kansas State University
Amit Chakrabarti of Manhattan
Darren Dawson of Manhattan
Peter Dorhout of Manhattan
Ernie Minton of Manhattan
Ralph Richardson of Olathe
Bonnie Rush of Manhattan
Samuel Pittman of Manhattan
Carol Shanklin of Manhattan

MRI Global
Tom Sach of Kansas City

National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance
Darrin Unruh of Pretty Prairie

NCTA
Matt Lindsey of Topeka
Kevin Ingram of Manhattan

Now Accepting Summer Internship Applications
My own interest in public service was sparked by an internship for Kansas First District Congressman Keith Sebelius in 1974. As an intern, I had the chance to learn firsthand how a Congressional office operates and how the legislative process works. I am proud to be able to offer this same opportunity in my Senate office today, where I have interns year-round working closely with my staff on behalf of Kansans.

Applications for internships in my Washington, D.C. and Kansas offices for summer 2019 session are due March 1. Congressional internships are open to qualified undergraduate and graduate students who have an interest in public service and have achieved academic excellence. Click here for more information and to apply.

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

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