Ringing Opening Bell in Honor of Veterans Day
To recognize Veterans Day, I joined veterans and members of the U.S. Marine Corps to ring the Nasdaq Opening Bell on board the USS Intrepid. Before ringing the bell, I paid tribute to all our nation’s veterans. Veterans Day is dedicated to honoring those like my father who have given so much in service to our country. The courage, selflessness and belief in the values of our nation that veterans exemplify should be commended today and every day. We stand together as Americans, and say thank you for your service, your sacrifice and your devotion to our country. May God bless our servicemen and women, our veterans and the country we all love.

You can watch my remarks from the ceremony here.


Delivering on Our Commitment to Our Veterans
For Veterans Day, I published an opinion piece in the Ripon Forum with the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), about our shared commitment to supporting our nation’s veterans. This commitment extends beyond an acknowledgement and saying ‘thank you’ to veterans for their service. It means putting aside political differences to advance and deliver meaningful legislative reforms for veterans in Kansas, Connecticut and across the country.

It is our responsibility to serve our nation’s veterans with the unity, respect and gratitude they deserve, and I thank my colleague Sen. Blumenthal for his support in this effort.

You can read our op-ed here.

Passing Legislation to End Government Shutdown 
After more than a month of stalemate in the U.S. Senate, Congress passed three annual appropriations bills, Agriculture, Military Construction-Veterans Affairs and Legislative Branch appropriations, in addition to a short-term funding bill that funds the government until January 30, 2026. Eight Senate Democrats joined nearly all Republicans in voting for the bill to fund and reopen the government. The House of Representatives voted to pass this legislation on Wednesday evening, and it was signed into law by President Trump later Wednesday night, bringing the longest government shutdown in American history to an end. This shutdown should never have happened, and the lasting negative impacts continue to be seen.

The shutdown has severely impacted our nation’s already fragile aviation industry, and recovering from its effects will take time. I am grateful that the government has been opened, but there is still much more work to be done. I am committed to working with my colleagues to pass the rest of the annual appropriations bills, and I am thankful to Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) for his commitment to bring them to the Senate floor for consideration. Congress must work diligently to pass the remaining appropriations bills before the end of January to prevent another useless and unnecessary shutdown.

Announcing Relocation of ATF Wichita Field Office to Wichita State University’s Innovation Campus
On Friday, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Deputy Director Robert Cekada joined me at Wichita State University (WSU) to announce that the ATF will be relocating its field office to WSU’s Innovation Campus, a move that will strengthen partnerships between ATF, WSU and the Kansas law enforcement community.

This decision will allow students to gain valuable experience through internships and hands-on learning in intelligence and investigations as they support the critical work of federal law enforcement. The partnership will also bolster the capabilities of law enforcement, providing them with greater access to the laboratory and research capabilities at WSU to solve violent crimes in Kansas while expanding opportunities for the next generation of criminal justice professionals.

I look forward to the future success of this partnership and appreciate the collaboration from federal, state and local law enforcement to keep Kansans safe. This announcement is one more step in creating opportunities for another generation of Kansans to have a future in our state, raise their families, educate their kids and go to church here – all the things that make up life in Kansas. Thank you to Deputy Director Cekada, WSU President Richard Muma, the law enforcement officials and local, state and federal leaders whose efforts made the announcement a reality.


Speaking at Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center Graduation Ceremony
Later on Friday, I spoke at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) graduation ceremony to congratulate the 23 men and women of Kansas law enforcement who completed months of demanding training in dedication to protecting and serving their community. I was joined by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Deputy Director Robert Cekada who addressed the graduates as the keynote speaker. KLETC continues to set the standard for law enforcement training in our state. I want to thank KLETC Vice Provost Darin Beck, Director of Programs Doug Schroeder, Deputy Director Ron Gould, Associate Director Alvin Sowers, Class Coordinator Josh Long and all the instructors and staff who make KLETC what it is. To this year’s KLETC graduates and every law enforcement officer across our state, thank you for your desire to serve Kansans and your community.


Breaking Ground at K-18/I-70 Interchange in Junction City
Just back from Washington, D.C., I participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for significant upgrades to the interchange at K-18 and Interstate 70 in Junction City. The beginning of construction on this project marks significant investments by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), which will administer the project, and a $5 million federal investment that I secured to support the project.

This project will involve construction of a flyover bridge, a modernized north access point and a two-mile auxiliary lane. The project will also involve improvements to the southbound ramp connecting K-18 to westbound I-70. I am grateful to KDOT Secretary Calvin Reed, Geary County Commissioner Keith Ascher and Kansas Highway Patrol Lieutenant Scott Proffitt for their leadership on this important safety project for the community.


Announcing Federal Investments for Kansas
In the long overdue legislation that passed earlier this week to reopen the government, I helped secure federal resources to make significant investments in Kansas to modernize infrastructure across our state and bolster defense capabilities at Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth. Federal investments will go towards the construction of a new Air Traffic Control tower at Fort Riley, as well as modernizing Fort Riley’s Intermodal Railyard. At Fort Leavenworth, federal resources will aide with the construction of a new fire station to support faster fire response times. This legislation also included annual federal funding for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Agriculture, allowing the continued operation of critical programs like SNAP and WIC. The impacts of the government shutdown won’t be immediately resolved, but I will continue working to make certain our aviation system and those who keep it running are supplied with the resources they need.

Joining CNBC’s Squawk Box to Discuss Government Shutdown
On Tuesday morning, I joined CNBC’s Squawk Box to highlight the importance of honoring our nation’s veterans and making certain they receive the support they were promised. We also discussed the bill the Senate passed to end the government shutdown and the negative impacts the shutdown has caused. Our standing in the world is harmed by our inability to govern and work together. To our adversaries it shows we have vulnerabilities and to our allies it demonstrates we are not dependable. The shutdown also hindered our ability to further Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s plan to modernize our U.S. aviation system to make air travel safer for every traveling American. We must return to regular order regarding our appropriations process to do our job for the American people.

You can watch my full interview here.


Meeting with NASA Administrator Nominee Jared Isaacman
On Monday, I met with Jared Isaacman, President Trump’s nominee to lead NASA, to discuss his vision for the agency and maintaining and advancing American leadership in space exploration. During our meeting, Mr. Isaacman elaborated on the priorities he would pursue if confirmed, including our shared goal of beating our adversaries back to the Moon and the need for NASA to pursue science and technology crucial to sustaining a robust space and aviation economy.

Thank you to Mr. Isaacman for his time and insights regarding NASA, and I look forward to the Senate Commerce Committee’s consideration of his nomination.


Introducing Legislation to Increase Access to Affordable Housing
I introduced the Affordable Housing Expansion Act, legislation that seeks to reduce the cost of federally funded affordable housing. Owning a home feels increasingly out of reach for many Americans as prices continue to rise for homes across the country. Government policies should be encouraging construction contractors to build more housing – not saddling them with additional costs. By modernizing Davis-Bacon Act requirements, affordable housing projects that receive federal funding will see reduced compliance costs and more clearly defined wage requirements. With the cost of homeownership remaining a top concern for Kansans, I will continue to push for common-sense solutions that increase the availability of affordable housing.

Visits Across Kansas
Kiowa District Hospital
On Thursday, I visited Kiowa District Hospital and met with hospital leadership and staff including CEO Janell Goodno, who has been with the hospital for more than a decade. Kiowa District Hospital is a Critical Access Hospital serving Kiowa and the surrounding rural communities. I toured the facility, including the expanded space added in 2021 to support rehab, behavioral healthcare, diagnostic testing and community education. During the visit, I had the opportunity to say hello to the children of the hospital’s employees at the day care the hospital provides for its staff.

During our discussion, hospital staff highlighted ongoing challenges facing rural providers. I remain committed to supporting policies that strengthen rural hospitals and help them continue delivering high-quality care to Kansas families. Thank you to Janell Goodno and the entire Kiowa District Hospital team for taking the time to meet with me.


Stafford County Hospital
This week, I visited Stafford County Hospital and met with Administrator Todd Taylor and Board of Directors member Roger Blew to discuss the essential care the hospital provides and the challenges facing rural health providers. Stafford County Hospital is a Critical Access Hospital and has previously been recognized by the National Rural Health Association as a Top 20 Best Practices in Quality facility for its commitment to delivering high-quality care to local families. 

During my visit, we discussed the strain that Medicare Advantage plans place on small hospitals. I also shared my continued support for the Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, legislation I cosponsored to help make certain seniors receive timely care. Thank you to Administrator Taylor, Mr. Blew and the Stafford County Hospital team for their dedication to serving the community.


Ashland Community
On Thursday, I visited Ashland to meet with members of the community. During my visit, I stopped by Stockgrowers State Bank, Venture Foods and Ashland Community Center for their seniors' community meal. I also met with folks at the Clark County Courthouse and Sheriff’s office, as well as the Ashland City Library and the local post office. Thank you to the Ashland community for the conversations.


Coldwater Community
This week, I stopped by local establishments in Coldwater to meet with residents. I appreciated visiting with Kansans at The Bank of Coldwater, Coldwater City Library and Comanche County Law Enforcement Center. I also made stops at Comanche County Hospital and Comanche County Courthouse, where I met with County Clerk Bri Uhl, Register of Deeds Heather Puderbaugh, County Treasurer Laura Sawyers, County Appraiser Cheryl Budge and Clerk of the District Court Jenni Bruckner. Thank you to all those that took the time to visit with me and to the Coldwater community for welcoming me.