Kansas Common Sense
Rural America Needs a Strong Farm Bill
Aug 10 2026
Working to Pass a Strong Farm Bill for Kansas Ag
This week, the Senate Agriculture Committee convened a hearing to consider the Senate Farm Bill – one of the most important pieces of legislation Congress advances for American agricultural producers. Ahead of the markup, I joined Eliza Petry on RFD-TV to discuss the importance of passing a modernized Farm Bill and providing certainty for rural America. I highlighted several key priorities for Kansas agriculture, including year-round E15, my CRP grazing legislation and updated risk management tools. You can watch my interview here.
During the markup, my colleagues and I unanimously adopted a package of amendments that incorporated numerous bipartisan provisions, including my language to permanently transfer administration of Food for Peace to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Earlier this week, a Food for Peace shipment left from the Port of New Orleans to deliver U.S. commodities to Kenya. Through their partnership, the World Food Program and USDA are continuing to ship American-grown commodities from our ports to those in need around the world.
Food for Peace – originally the idea of a Kansas farmer from St. Francis – represents the best of U.S. agriculture and reinforces American leadership across the globe. The program’s success depends on the American farmer, and no federal agency knows our farmers better than USDA. You can watch my remarks during committee here.
Despite bipartisan agreement on much of the Senate Farm Bill, the committee was ultimately unable to advance the legislation. Congress is already overdue on passing a Farm Bill, and I am disappointed by this outcome. This legislation is important, and it matters to farmers and ranchers in Kansas and across the nation. I remain committed to working with my colleagues to get a Farm Bill passed and to the President’s desk to provide the certainty rural America needs.
Providing KFB Update with Ag Chairman Boozman
Later on Thursday, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) and I virtually joined the Kansas Farm Bureau (KFB) Board of Directors to provide an update on the Farm Bill markup and discuss the challenges facing the Kansas agricultural community. I’m grateful for KFB’s engagement and advocacy on critical policy issues and for sharing their thoughts with us.
Thank you to KFB President Glenn Brunkow, CEO Terry Holdren, Senior Director of Public Policy Ryan Flickner and Board Members Denny Ashcraft, George Pretz, Tim Tyson, Dan Schmidt, Doug Zillinger, Jim Schmidt, Joe Jury, Marieta Hauser, Caleb Mattix, Laura Haffner and Alissa Kirchhoff for inviting us.
PASSED: Legislation to Sanction Purchasers of Russian Oil
This week, with a vote of 86 to 11, the Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. I joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues in introducing this legislation to strengthen sanctions on Russia and Iran and hold accountable those who continue to finance their aggression.
In recent weeks, the administration has increased economic pressure on Russia and Iran, making clear that the United States will not reward aggression. This legislation, originally championed by Sen. Lindsey Graham, builds upon those efforts by giving the President stronger tools to make certain these sanctions remain effective and much more difficult to evade.
Russia and Iran both seek to undermine American interests, threaten our allies and weaken the international order that has helped preserve peace for generations. The passage of this legislation would make both regimes pay a far higher price for choosing aggression over peace and would increase economic pressure by targeting the revenue that fuels Russia's war against Ukraine and Iran's support for terrorism throughout the Middle East.
Following the Senate’s passage of the bill, I spoke on the Senate floor to urge the House to swiftly pass the legislation and send it to the President’s desk. The Senate has done its part, and this legislation must be signed into law and implemented quickly to hold Russia and those supporting its unjust and unjustifiable war accountable.
You can watch my full remarks here.
Supporting Legislation to Benefit Kansans
Working to Strengthen a Critical Program for Kansas Hospitals
This week, I led my colleagues in the Senate Bipartisan 340B Working Group – Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), John Boozman (R-Ark.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) – in introducing the SUSTAIN 340B Act. This legislation is the product of years of consensus building and a thoughtful process focused on stakeholder input, and the bill aims to provide greater stability, clarity and transparency in the 340B program. The 340B program has been critical to Kansas hospitals, health centers and safety-net providers by allowing them to provide quality care to patients and communities.
Congress created the program more than 30 years ago to stretch scarce federal resources and make certain that eligible patients have access to comprehensive services and affordable medications. However, ambiguity in the statute has led to a growing number of lawsuits over the past several years that have created uncertainty in the program, and it has become increasingly evident there is a need for clarity and improvements to be certain that the program is operating effectively.
Our legislation makes comprehensive reforms to the 340B program, while sustaining the program and maintaining the access to health care services it provides for communities in Kansas and across the country. You can learn more here.
Introducing Legislation to Improve Airport Surface Safety
This week, I introduced the bipartisan Runway Surface Awareness and Focused, Effective Training and Technology (Runway SAFE-T) Act to help identify and address issues with our national aviation system before incidents occur. This legislation aims to strengthen airport safety following March’s deadly crash between a regional jet and a fire truck at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, which resulted in two fatalities and multiple injuries.
The legislation would direct the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish a task force of aviation industry members, labor representatives and government leaders to identify and make recommendations to bolster training programs for commercial airport personnel who are authorized to drive vehicles on runways and taxiways. The task force would also be required to provide the FAA and Congress with a report within a year of being formed.
In June, during a Senate Commerce Aviation Subcommittee hearing I led to examine recent close calls in our airspace, I discussed how this legislation would help bolster efforts to ensure airport safety. You can watch my remarks on the bill here. I will continue working with my colleagues to advance this important legislation to make air travel safer for all who fly.
Advancing Bills to Help Protect Children Online
On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation advanced several pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening online safety for kids, including the Kids’ Online Safety Act, of which I am a cosponsor. In today’s increasingly digital world, children are more vulnerable than ever, and I am committed to supporting policies that strengthen safeguards and provide parents with the tools to keep their kids safe online. As a member of the committee, I supported the advancement of these bills, and I look forward to voting for them in the full Senate.
Update on the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act
The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (TCAVA) continues gain support from veterans and their families, as well as military and veteran advocacy organizations. Millions of veterans, family members, survivors, caregivers and VA employees have waited long enough for the benefits it would provide. This week, Kansan Dedra Reed wrote in the Topeka Capital-Journal about how the legislation would support her efforts as a caregiver for her husband, a Marine Corps veteran. Dedra is a fellow for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, and I had the opportunity to meet her earlier this year. You can read her story here.
In addition, David Heredia Jr., a veteran and National Chairman of The American Legion Riders, wrote a piece this week highlighting how TCAVA would support veteran suicide prevention efforts and allow combat-injured veterans who are medically retired before 20 years of service to receive both their military retirement pay and disability compensation. You can read his story here.
TCAVA also includes several provisions aimed at increasing benefits and support for surviving spouses and family members of fallen servicemembers and veterans. Importantly, TCAVA includes my Love Lives On Act, which would allow individuals whose military or veteran spouse passed away to remarry before the age of 55 without losing vital survivor benefits. You can read more about that aspect of TCAVA here.
I will continue working to get this legislation passed and signed into law for veterans and their families all across the nation.
Meeting with Attorney General Todd Blanche
On Wednesday, ahead of his confirmation by the Senate, I met with Attorney General Todd Blanche to discuss how we can work together to bolster support for law enforcement and strengthen our state’s capabilities. During our meeting, we discussed priorities important to Kansas, including strengthening federal law enforcement partnerships in the state, making certain the Department of Justice (DOJ) promptly distributes discretionary grant funding for our communities and how we can work together to support the men and women who serve in our justice system.
In my role as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee with jurisdiction over the DOJ, I am committed to working with Attorney General Blanche to uphold the rule of law and keep our communities safe.
Discussing Kansas’ Capabilities with Northrop Grumman CEO
This week, I met with Kathy Warden, the CEO of Northrop Grumman, to discuss the growing role Kansas plays in our national defense. Kansas has long been at the heart of American airpower, and today our state's manufacturers, researchers and skilled workforce are supporting some of the most consequential defense programs in decades. These efforts include the B-21 Raider, a critical component of our future strategic deterrent, which relies on Spirit Defense in Wichita as one of its few tier-one suppliers.
During our conversation, we also discussed how Northrop Grumman can continue to expand its footprint in Kansas, from strengthening its work with suppliers across our aerospace industry to building on the capabilities of the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) in Wichita. As threats from America’s adversaries grow, the work being done in Kansas remains critical to help keep Americans safe. I will continue working to make certain our state remains a hub for the defense industrial base, and I appreciate Northrop Grumman's commitment to Kansas and the critical national security programs our state helps deliver.
Touring Honeywell Aerospace
Earlier in the week, before heading back to Washington, I toured Honeywell Aerospace’s Clearwater facility. This is the company’s primary U.S. site for the design, integration, testing and production of flight-qualified space hardware and software. It serves as a key industrial hub supporting NASA’s Artemis program and related spaceflight capabilities. I appreciated the opportunity to see firsthand their operations and discuss their work to bolster American aerospace engineering and manufacturing.
Special thank you to President & CEO Bob Buddecke, Senior Plant Director Bob Stubler of Olathe, Lead of Missile System Navigation Julie Heck, Factory Operations Leader for Missiles Zack Siwek, Leand on Satellites Karl Bogdan, NASA Space Lead Kendall Bjorge and everyone at Honeywell for hosting me.
Urging USPS to Resolve Mail Delivery Issues for Rural Kansans
This week, I urged U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General David Steiner to address mail delivery issues impacting Colwich residents’ ability to receive important federal correspondence. Unlike most communities, Colwich does not receive residential mail delivery. Instead, residents are served exclusively through complimentary P.O. Boxes at the local post office. While this may have once been sufficient, it is clear the current system is no longer working.
I have heard from Colwich residents concerned about receiving absentee ballots, Medicare correspondence and other critical federal mail. I called on the Postmaster General to identify a practical solution, including incorporating Colwich into a nearby residential delivery route or establishing a new route for the community.
Colwich residents should have the same ability to reliably receive important mail as Kansans in larger communities. While I recognize the operational challenges USPS faces in serving rural towns, I am concerned that the current system leaves Kansans at a disadvantage through no fault of their own. I stand ready to work with Postmaster General Steiner to identify a practical solution that fulfills that mission. You can read more here.
Receiving Ag Updates from USDA Leadership
On Tuesday, I met with several U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretaries to discuss the department’s work to address the needs of farmers, ranchers and rural America. Joined by my colleagues, Sens. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), we spoke about producers enrolling new base acres into their operations that were added in last year’s reconciliation legislation and the need for staffing in local Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service offices, as well as USDA’s response to New World Screwworm.
Visiting with Kansans
Duff Family of Manhattan
On Friday, I met with Michael and Bethany Duff of Manhattan and their children Landon, Easton and Cohen, as well as their friend Harli Omli of Manhattan, before their tour of the U.S. Capitol. Michael is the Vice President of Biostimulants, Research and Product Development at Rosen's Inc. I appreciated learning more about the growing drone industry in Kansas, as well as the important work Michael and his team are doing to support it. Kansas has so much to offer our national defense, and I am committed to making certain companies in Kansas have a seat at the table. It was great to catch up with Michael and his family and to hear about their visit to Washington, D.C. Thank you for meeting with me.
Moeder Family of Hays
On Thursday, I met with Cameron and Maggie Moeder of Hays and their children Camdyn, Weston, Callen and Scottie and their friend Reese Vehige while they were on a tour of the U.S. Capitol through my office. They shared with me about their trip so far to our nation’s capital and what they’ve enjoyed seeing. Thank you for taking the time out of your tour to visit with me.
Commemorating National Purple Heart Day
On Friday, our nation marked National Purple Heart Day, a time to honor the servicemembers who were wounded or killed in action while serving our country. To the many courageous Americans who have been awarded the Purple Heart – thank you for your selfless actions. May God bless you.
236 Years of the U.S. Coast Guard
This week, we celebrated the 236th anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard’s founding. We appreciate all the men and women who are serving now and have served throughout the years to keep our nation safe and secure. Thank you for your service!
Kansans in the Office
Capitol Tour
Kent Adams of Wichita
LuCinda Adams of Wichita
Layna Adams of Winfield
Mary Adams of Winfield
Bo Barkley of McPherson
Cole Barkley of McPherson
Alayna Beck of Lenexa
Bobby Beck of Lenexa
Jennie Beck of Lenexa
Kevin Beck of Lenexa
Lilly Beck of Lenexa
Paige Benteen of Mission Hills
Nathaniel Benteen of Mission Hills
Tracy Benteen of Mission Hills
Milani Bush of Wichita
Camdyn Copper of Hays
Jane Cox of Norwich
Bethany Duff of Manhattan
Cohen Duff of Manhattan
Easton Duff of Manhattan
Landon Duff of Manhattan
Michael Duff of Manhattan
Carrie Greene of Shawnee
Brian Kathol of Wichita
Kenneth Lewis of Leawood
Margo Lewis of Leawood
Marudhu Madheswaran of Hesston
Rithanya Marudhu of Hesston
Allison McClain of Leawood
Owen McClain of Leawood
Chelsea Mevey of Wichita
James Mevey of Norwich
John Mevey of Wichita
Johnny Mevey of Wichita
Meadow Mevey of Wichita
Laura Migliazzo of Overland Park
Marisue Migliazzo of Overland Park
Matthew Migliazzo of Overland Park
Callen Moeder of Hays
Cameron Moeder of Hays
Maggie Moeder of Hays
Scottie Moeder of Hays
Weston Moeder of Hays
Sunee Ngaoaram of Leawood
Harli Omli of Manhattan
Rick Reed of McPherson
Aadhav Rithanya of Hesston
Courtney Rorabaugh of Wichita
Jeff Rorabaugh of Wichita
Michelle Rorabaugh of Wichita
Patricia Ross of Leawood
Reese Vehige of Hays
Saranya Vengatesan of Hesston
Brady Yantis of Overland Park
Jack Yantis of Overland Park
Tara Yantis of Overland Park
Cowley College
Kori Gregg of Wichita
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 70
Patrick Garcia of Wichita
Darius Williams of Wichita
Kansas State Legislature
Rep. Mari-Lynn Poskin of Leawood
The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City
Danielle Barragan of Kansas City
Amanda Isele of Kansas City
Sydney Mollentine of Overland Park
This week, the Senate Agriculture Committee convened a hearing to consider the Senate Farm Bill – one of the most important pieces of legislation Congress advances for American agricultural producers. Ahead of the markup, I joined Eliza Petry on RFD-TV to discuss the importance of passing a modernized Farm Bill and providing certainty for rural America. I highlighted several key priorities for Kansas agriculture, including year-round E15, my CRP grazing legislation and updated risk management tools. You can watch my interview here.
During the markup, my colleagues and I unanimously adopted a package of amendments that incorporated numerous bipartisan provisions, including my language to permanently transfer administration of Food for Peace to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Earlier this week, a Food for Peace shipment left from the Port of New Orleans to deliver U.S. commodities to Kenya. Through their partnership, the World Food Program and USDA are continuing to ship American-grown commodities from our ports to those in need around the world.
Food for Peace – originally the idea of a Kansas farmer from St. Francis – represents the best of U.S. agriculture and reinforces American leadership across the globe. The program’s success depends on the American farmer, and no federal agency knows our farmers better than USDA. You can watch my remarks during committee here.
Despite bipartisan agreement on much of the Senate Farm Bill, the committee was ultimately unable to advance the legislation. Congress is already overdue on passing a Farm Bill, and I am disappointed by this outcome. This legislation is important, and it matters to farmers and ranchers in Kansas and across the nation. I remain committed to working with my colleagues to get a Farm Bill passed and to the President’s desk to provide the certainty rural America needs.
Providing KFB Update with Ag Chairman Boozman
Later on Thursday, Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) and I virtually joined the Kansas Farm Bureau (KFB) Board of Directors to provide an update on the Farm Bill markup and discuss the challenges facing the Kansas agricultural community. I’m grateful for KFB’s engagement and advocacy on critical policy issues and for sharing their thoughts with us.
Thank you to KFB President Glenn Brunkow, CEO Terry Holdren, Senior Director of Public Policy Ryan Flickner and Board Members Denny Ashcraft, George Pretz, Tim Tyson, Dan Schmidt, Doug Zillinger, Jim Schmidt, Joe Jury, Marieta Hauser, Caleb Mattix, Laura Haffner and Alissa Kirchhoff for inviting us.
PASSED: Legislation to Sanction Purchasers of Russian Oil
This week, with a vote of 86 to 11, the Senate passed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. I joined a bipartisan group of my colleagues in introducing this legislation to strengthen sanctions on Russia and Iran and hold accountable those who continue to finance their aggression.
In recent weeks, the administration has increased economic pressure on Russia and Iran, making clear that the United States will not reward aggression. This legislation, originally championed by Sen. Lindsey Graham, builds upon those efforts by giving the President stronger tools to make certain these sanctions remain effective and much more difficult to evade.
Russia and Iran both seek to undermine American interests, threaten our allies and weaken the international order that has helped preserve peace for generations. The passage of this legislation would make both regimes pay a far higher price for choosing aggression over peace and would increase economic pressure by targeting the revenue that fuels Russia's war against Ukraine and Iran's support for terrorism throughout the Middle East.
Following the Senate’s passage of the bill, I spoke on the Senate floor to urge the House to swiftly pass the legislation and send it to the President’s desk. The Senate has done its part, and this legislation must be signed into law and implemented quickly to hold Russia and those supporting its unjust and unjustifiable war accountable.
You can watch my full remarks here.
Supporting Legislation to Benefit Kansans
Working to Strengthen a Critical Program for Kansas Hospitals
This week, I led my colleagues in the Senate Bipartisan 340B Working Group – Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), John Boozman (R-Ark.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) – in introducing the SUSTAIN 340B Act. This legislation is the product of years of consensus building and a thoughtful process focused on stakeholder input, and the bill aims to provide greater stability, clarity and transparency in the 340B program. The 340B program has been critical to Kansas hospitals, health centers and safety-net providers by allowing them to provide quality care to patients and communities.
Congress created the program more than 30 years ago to stretch scarce federal resources and make certain that eligible patients have access to comprehensive services and affordable medications. However, ambiguity in the statute has led to a growing number of lawsuits over the past several years that have created uncertainty in the program, and it has become increasingly evident there is a need for clarity and improvements to be certain that the program is operating effectively.
Our legislation makes comprehensive reforms to the 340B program, while sustaining the program and maintaining the access to health care services it provides for communities in Kansas and across the country. You can learn more here.
Introducing Legislation to Improve Airport Surface Safety
This week, I introduced the bipartisan Runway Surface Awareness and Focused, Effective Training and Technology (Runway SAFE-T) Act to help identify and address issues with our national aviation system before incidents occur. This legislation aims to strengthen airport safety following March’s deadly crash between a regional jet and a fire truck at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, which resulted in two fatalities and multiple injuries.
The legislation would direct the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish a task force of aviation industry members, labor representatives and government leaders to identify and make recommendations to bolster training programs for commercial airport personnel who are authorized to drive vehicles on runways and taxiways. The task force would also be required to provide the FAA and Congress with a report within a year of being formed.
In June, during a Senate Commerce Aviation Subcommittee hearing I led to examine recent close calls in our airspace, I discussed how this legislation would help bolster efforts to ensure airport safety. You can watch my remarks on the bill here. I will continue working with my colleagues to advance this important legislation to make air travel safer for all who fly.
Advancing Bills to Help Protect Children Online
On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation advanced several pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening online safety for kids, including the Kids’ Online Safety Act, of which I am a cosponsor. In today’s increasingly digital world, children are more vulnerable than ever, and I am committed to supporting policies that strengthen safeguards and provide parents with the tools to keep their kids safe online. As a member of the committee, I supported the advancement of these bills, and I look forward to voting for them in the full Senate.
Update on the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act
The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act (TCAVA) continues gain support from veterans and their families, as well as military and veteran advocacy organizations. Millions of veterans, family members, survivors, caregivers and VA employees have waited long enough for the benefits it would provide. This week, Kansan Dedra Reed wrote in the Topeka Capital-Journal about how the legislation would support her efforts as a caregiver for her husband, a Marine Corps veteran. Dedra is a fellow for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, and I had the opportunity to meet her earlier this year. You can read her story here.
In addition, David Heredia Jr., a veteran and National Chairman of The American Legion Riders, wrote a piece this week highlighting how TCAVA would support veteran suicide prevention efforts and allow combat-injured veterans who are medically retired before 20 years of service to receive both their military retirement pay and disability compensation. You can read his story here.
TCAVA also includes several provisions aimed at increasing benefits and support for surviving spouses and family members of fallen servicemembers and veterans. Importantly, TCAVA includes my Love Lives On Act, which would allow individuals whose military or veteran spouse passed away to remarry before the age of 55 without losing vital survivor benefits. You can read more about that aspect of TCAVA here.
I will continue working to get this legislation passed and signed into law for veterans and their families all across the nation.
Meeting with Attorney General Todd Blanche
On Wednesday, ahead of his confirmation by the Senate, I met with Attorney General Todd Blanche to discuss how we can work together to bolster support for law enforcement and strengthen our state’s capabilities. During our meeting, we discussed priorities important to Kansas, including strengthening federal law enforcement partnerships in the state, making certain the Department of Justice (DOJ) promptly distributes discretionary grant funding for our communities and how we can work together to support the men and women who serve in our justice system.
In my role as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee with jurisdiction over the DOJ, I am committed to working with Attorney General Blanche to uphold the rule of law and keep our communities safe.
Discussing Kansas’ Capabilities with Northrop Grumman CEO
This week, I met with Kathy Warden, the CEO of Northrop Grumman, to discuss the growing role Kansas plays in our national defense. Kansas has long been at the heart of American airpower, and today our state's manufacturers, researchers and skilled workforce are supporting some of the most consequential defense programs in decades. These efforts include the B-21 Raider, a critical component of our future strategic deterrent, which relies on Spirit Defense in Wichita as one of its few tier-one suppliers.
During our conversation, we also discussed how Northrop Grumman can continue to expand its footprint in Kansas, from strengthening its work with suppliers across our aerospace industry to building on the capabilities of the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) in Wichita. As threats from America’s adversaries grow, the work being done in Kansas remains critical to help keep Americans safe. I will continue working to make certain our state remains a hub for the defense industrial base, and I appreciate Northrop Grumman's commitment to Kansas and the critical national security programs our state helps deliver.
Touring Honeywell Aerospace
Earlier in the week, before heading back to Washington, I toured Honeywell Aerospace’s Clearwater facility. This is the company’s primary U.S. site for the design, integration, testing and production of flight-qualified space hardware and software. It serves as a key industrial hub supporting NASA’s Artemis program and related spaceflight capabilities. I appreciated the opportunity to see firsthand their operations and discuss their work to bolster American aerospace engineering and manufacturing.
Special thank you to President & CEO Bob Buddecke, Senior Plant Director Bob Stubler of Olathe, Lead of Missile System Navigation Julie Heck, Factory Operations Leader for Missiles Zack Siwek, Leand on Satellites Karl Bogdan, NASA Space Lead Kendall Bjorge and everyone at Honeywell for hosting me.
Urging USPS to Resolve Mail Delivery Issues for Rural Kansans
This week, I urged U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Postmaster General David Steiner to address mail delivery issues impacting Colwich residents’ ability to receive important federal correspondence. Unlike most communities, Colwich does not receive residential mail delivery. Instead, residents are served exclusively through complimentary P.O. Boxes at the local post office. While this may have once been sufficient, it is clear the current system is no longer working.
I have heard from Colwich residents concerned about receiving absentee ballots, Medicare correspondence and other critical federal mail. I called on the Postmaster General to identify a practical solution, including incorporating Colwich into a nearby residential delivery route or establishing a new route for the community.
Colwich residents should have the same ability to reliably receive important mail as Kansans in larger communities. While I recognize the operational challenges USPS faces in serving rural towns, I am concerned that the current system leaves Kansans at a disadvantage through no fault of their own. I stand ready to work with Postmaster General Steiner to identify a practical solution that fulfills that mission. You can read more here.
Receiving Ag Updates from USDA Leadership
On Tuesday, I met with several U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Under Secretaries to discuss the department’s work to address the needs of farmers, ranchers and rural America. Joined by my colleagues, Sens. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), we spoke about producers enrolling new base acres into their operations that were added in last year’s reconciliation legislation and the need for staffing in local Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service offices, as well as USDA’s response to New World Screwworm.
Visiting with Kansans
Duff Family of Manhattan
On Friday, I met with Michael and Bethany Duff of Manhattan and their children Landon, Easton and Cohen, as well as their friend Harli Omli of Manhattan, before their tour of the U.S. Capitol. Michael is the Vice President of Biostimulants, Research and Product Development at Rosen's Inc. I appreciated learning more about the growing drone industry in Kansas, as well as the important work Michael and his team are doing to support it. Kansas has so much to offer our national defense, and I am committed to making certain companies in Kansas have a seat at the table. It was great to catch up with Michael and his family and to hear about their visit to Washington, D.C. Thank you for meeting with me.
Moeder Family of Hays
On Thursday, I met with Cameron and Maggie Moeder of Hays and their children Camdyn, Weston, Callen and Scottie and their friend Reese Vehige while they were on a tour of the U.S. Capitol through my office. They shared with me about their trip so far to our nation’s capital and what they’ve enjoyed seeing. Thank you for taking the time out of your tour to visit with me.
Commemorating National Purple Heart Day
On Friday, our nation marked National Purple Heart Day, a time to honor the servicemembers who were wounded or killed in action while serving our country. To the many courageous Americans who have been awarded the Purple Heart – thank you for your selfless actions. May God bless you.
236 Years of the U.S. Coast Guard
This week, we celebrated the 236th anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard’s founding. We appreciate all the men and women who are serving now and have served throughout the years to keep our nation safe and secure. Thank you for your service!
Kansans in the Office
Capitol Tour
Kent Adams of Wichita
LuCinda Adams of Wichita
Layna Adams of Winfield
Mary Adams of Winfield
Bo Barkley of McPherson
Cole Barkley of McPherson
Alayna Beck of Lenexa
Bobby Beck of Lenexa
Jennie Beck of Lenexa
Kevin Beck of Lenexa
Lilly Beck of Lenexa
Paige Benteen of Mission Hills
Nathaniel Benteen of Mission Hills
Tracy Benteen of Mission Hills
Milani Bush of Wichita
Camdyn Copper of Hays
Jane Cox of Norwich
Bethany Duff of Manhattan
Cohen Duff of Manhattan
Easton Duff of Manhattan
Landon Duff of Manhattan
Michael Duff of Manhattan
Carrie Greene of Shawnee
Brian Kathol of Wichita
Kenneth Lewis of Leawood
Margo Lewis of Leawood
Marudhu Madheswaran of Hesston
Rithanya Marudhu of Hesston
Allison McClain of Leawood
Owen McClain of Leawood
Chelsea Mevey of Wichita
James Mevey of Norwich
John Mevey of Wichita
Johnny Mevey of Wichita
Meadow Mevey of Wichita
Laura Migliazzo of Overland Park
Marisue Migliazzo of Overland Park
Matthew Migliazzo of Overland Park
Callen Moeder of Hays
Cameron Moeder of Hays
Maggie Moeder of Hays
Scottie Moeder of Hays
Weston Moeder of Hays
Sunee Ngaoaram of Leawood
Harli Omli of Manhattan
Rick Reed of McPherson
Aadhav Rithanya of Hesston
Courtney Rorabaugh of Wichita
Jeff Rorabaugh of Wichita
Michelle Rorabaugh of Wichita
Patricia Ross of Leawood
Reese Vehige of Hays
Saranya Vengatesan of Hesston
Brady Yantis of Overland Park
Jack Yantis of Overland Park
Tara Yantis of Overland Park
Cowley College
Kori Gregg of Wichita
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers District 70
Patrick Garcia of Wichita
Darius Williams of Wichita
Kansas State Legislature
Rep. Mari-Lynn Poskin of Leawood
The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City
Danielle Barragan of Kansas City
Amanda Isele of Kansas City
Sydney Mollentine of Overland Park
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