Finding Answers: NTSB Briefs Commerce Committee

Honoring Victims of Flight 5342 & U.S. Army Flight Crew
Passed: Resolution to Remember Victims & Honor First Responders
This week, I led and passed a resolution with Sens. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) to honor and remember the victims of the collision between American Airlines Flight 5342 and U.S. Army Aviation Brigade Priority Air Transport 25 on January 29, 2025, near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The resolution also recognizes the local, state and federal agencies who responded to the accident and worked tirelessly through the night and following days during rescue and recovery operations. I am heartbroken by the loss of life and the pain experienced by family, friends and loved ones of the 67 victims, and will continue praying for those who are impacted.

You can watch my floor speech here and read the full resolution here.

Finding Answers: The NTSB Briefs Commerce Committee
On Thursday, I received a briefing from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and U.S. Army on the progress of their investigation into the tragic crash of American Airlines Flight 5342 and U.S. Army Aviation Brigade Priority Air Transport 25. I also received a separate briefing from the U.S. Army on their response to the collision. Investigators are working tirelessly to gather information and determine probable cause in a timely manner.

As Chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation and a senior member of the Defense Subcommittee on Appropriations, I remain committed to working with the officials who are conducting the investigation to find answers to the cause of this accident. The NTSB’s investigation will support my subcommittee’s efforts to determine policy changes that may be necessary to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.

In the interim, the FAA has shut down all non-essential, low-altitude helicopter flights near DCA, and limited the traffic in and out of National Airport. This action is necessary, particularly as investigators continue to uncover the circumstances that led to this tragic accident. You can read more about plans for upcoming congressional investigations into the crash here.

Restricting Non-Essential Helicopter Operations
I sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) calling on the FAA to continue the restrictions placed on non-essential helicopter operations near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Until the NTSB investigators complete their preliminary report, restricting helicopter operations, while allowing for essential medical support, active law enforcement and air defense, and presidential transport traffic, will help keep the area safe and improve public trust in commercial air travel. As the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation, we intend to conduct a subcommittee review into the January 29th tragedy by examining the facts and expert findings to determine whether policy changes may be necessary to increase safety and improve public trust. We look forward to the FAA’s cooperation as we conduct our review to prevent a similar incident from happening again.

Resuming Distribution of American-grown Food Aid
Last week, I urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to quickly ship and distribute the American-grown food that was stalled in ports and warehouses here in the U.S. and around the world as a result of the State Department’s pause on international assistance. Nearly $560 million worth of American-grown food was at risk of spoiling, but over the weekend, the State Department provided notices to participating aid organizations to resume shipping and distribution of this life-saving aid. The crops that were grown in Kansas and on farms around the country are on their way to feed those in need around the world. Food stability is essential to political stability, and our food aid programs help feed the hungry, bolster our national security and provide an important market for our farmers, especially when commodity prices are low.

Kansan Amy France Testifies at Ag Committee Hearing
This week, I introduced Amy France, chair of the National Sorghum Producers, from Scott City to testify before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Amy and her husband operate the France Family Farms in western Kansas. The hearing centered around the state of the country’s agricultural economy. With market uncertainty, high production costs and widespread drought, Amy's consistent advocacy for disaster relief and crop loss assistance has made her a key voice for our nation's sorghum farmers. As a new member of the committee, I am committed to passing a comprehensive Farm Bill that puts our farmers first.

You can watch my introduction of Amy France here and watch her testimony before the committee here

New Ag Subcommittees
As a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, I will be serving on the following subcommittees:

- Commodities, Derivatives, Risk Management and Trade
- Rural Development, Energy and Credit

I look forward to further serving Kansans in this committee as I work towards lowering prices, passing a new Farm Bill and supporting rural communities.

Supporting Local Pharmacies
Independent and community pharmacies in Kansas and across the nation are facing a crisis. On Wednesday, more than 100 Kansas pharmacies temporarily closed their doors to call attention to needed reforms for the practices of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). I applaud the Kansas Pharmacists Association for their advocacy on this critical issue. At the federal level, I have been advocating for Congress to consider meaningful reform that allows local pharmacies across the nation to remain open. I am joining Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) in the upcoming introduction of the PBM Transparency Act, a bill which will help stop unfair and deceptive PBM business practices. It’s time for Congress to act – our pharmacists deserve better.

Confirming Cabinet Nominees
Secretary Doug Collins
The Senate voted 77-23 to confirm Congressman Doug Collins as the next Secretary of Veterans Affairs. I want to extend a sincere congratulations to Secretary Collins on his confirmation to this critically important role. He has displayed to my colleagues and me that he is prepared to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs into the future and support the everchanging needs of our nation’s veterans by making certain they receive the timely and high-quality health care and benefits they have rightfully earned. I look forward to working with Secretary Collins.

Before the vote, I spoke on the Senate floor encouraging my colleagues to swiftly confirm his nomination. You can watch my floor speech here.

Brooke Rollins
I joined my colleagues on the Senate Committee on Agriculture to unanimously advance Brooke Rollins’ nomination to be the Secretary of Agriculture. Mrs. Rollins has demonstrated to me her knowledge and passion for helping our producers be successful. I look forward to voting for her confirmation before the full Senate and working with her to support our nation’s famers.

Howard Lutnick
As a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, I voted to advance and the nomination of Howard Lutnick to be the Secretary of Commerce. I appreciate the conversations I have added with Mr. Lutnick and his testimony before the committee.

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard
The Senate Committee on Intelligence voted to advance the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump’s nominee to be Director of National Intelligence, to the Senate floor for full consideration. Through numerous conversations and testimony before the Intelligence Committee, Congresswoman Gabbard answered my questions, and I support her nomination to be our nation’s top intelligence officer. I appreciate Congresswoman Gabbard’s military service and willingness to continue to serve the country as the Director of National Intelligence.

Praying for the Nation
The National Prayer Breakfast is an annual event in Washington, D.C. and an opportunity for lawmakers to gather for prayer. It also attracts many visitors from around the country to join in praying for our nation and lifting leaders up in prayer. On Thursday morning, Kansans Eric Melgren and Walter Lewis stopped by my office to pray with me for our country, the world and its leaders. I am grateful for their time and prayers.

Introducing Legislation to Support Gold Star Spouses
On Wednesday, I introduced legislation to allow surviving spouses of fallen servicemembers to keep certain survivor benefits if they remarry. Under current law, most benefits from the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs are terminated for surviving spouses who remarry before age 55. The Love Lives On Act of 2025 would allow surviving spouses to retain these benefits upon remarriage regardless of age. Military service is a family service and by making certain that surviving spouses can heal from their loss without fear of losing their benefits, the Love Lives On Act helps recognize the great debt our nation owes to Gold Star families.

You can read more here.

Protecting Veterans’ Second Amendment Rights
This week, I joined my colleagues Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) and House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman, Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), in introducing legislation to prevent veterans from losing their Second Amendment right to purchase or own a firearm when they receive help managing their Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. Under current law, when VA appoints someone to help a veteran who needs assistance managing their finances and VA benefits because of a disability, that veteran is immediately reported to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) list and stripped of their Second Amendment right to legally purchase and own a firearm, without any findings by a court of law that the veteran may be a danger to themselves or others.

We should be encouraging veterans to utilize VA services, not discouraging them by denying them due process. The Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act makes certain that the rights of those who have served are protected, and that veterans are not penalized for receiving support that they have earned and deserve.

National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week
I introduced a resolution designating the week of February 3rd, 2025, as National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week. Tribal colleges and universities, like Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, provide Native students the opportunity to receive a higher education in an environment that prioritizes their heritage and culture. This legislation provides an opportunity to applaud and support the accomplishments of tribal students and their educators – both of which are deserving of our recognition.

Introducing Legislation to Remove Derogatory Language
On Monday, I reintroduced the Words Matter for District of Columbia Courts Act alongside colleagues Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.). This bill would update Washington, D.C. laws to remove a derogatory term used for individuals with disabilities and replace it with language that better respects the dignity of these individuals. Congress has already removed this language from federal laws, but legislation is still needed to eliminate this degrading language fully from our local laws and courts. I look forward to seeing my legislation advance this year and urge my colleagues to join me in upholding the dignity of people with disabilities.

Eliminating Hidden Hotel Fees
This week, the Senate Committee on Commerce voted to advance the Hotel Fees Transparency Act, which I introduced with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). This commonsense legislation requires hotels and short-term rentals to show the final price a customer will pay to book lodging up front, making certain customers aren’t burdened with unexpected costs on their check. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this legislation passed in the Senate.

Bolstering our Energy Grid
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined me to introduce the Credit Incentives for Resilient Critical Utility Infrastructure and Transformers (CIRCUIT) Act. This bill would encourage the production of electric distribution transformers – devices that take high-voltage electricity from power lines and reduce it to lower voltage levels suitable for homes, businesses and other end-users. The U.S. is in the middle of unprecedented demand for power transformers, which has left the energy sector uncertain about the stability of the future grid. Current production is unable to keep up with demand from new housing, data centers and more. Expanding the manufacturing credit to include these critical components provides utilities the certainty they need to continue building out our nation’s grid.

Meeting with Peas and Lentils Producers
On Wednesday, I met with representatives from the USA Pulses and the Dry Pea and Lentil Council to discuss issues impacting farmers. We talked about the importance of international food aid to U.S. agricultural producers, the need to confirm Brooke Rollins to be Secretary of Agriculture and why open trade markets are necessary for a healthy farm economy. As a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, I will continue working with groups like USA Pulses and the Dry Pea and Lentil Council to make certain federal policies align with the needs of our farmers.

Thank you to Tim McGreevy, Eric Bartsch, Tyler Han, Fred Foland and Lauren Hoistad for joining me.

Meeting with Northrop Grumman CEO, Kathy Warden
On Thursday, I met with Northrop Grumman CEO Kathy Warden to discuss their ongoing work with the Air Force to develop the B-21 Raider. This program is a critical component of our nuclear triad modernization and is necessary for maintaining strategic deterrents globally. Kansas manufacturers play an important role in supporting Northrop Grumman’s B-21 program. During our meeting, we also discussed the importance of defense manufacturers, like Spirit. I look forward to hosting Ms. Warden in Kansas soon to highlight Kansas’ important capabilities and showcase local suppliers that could provide valuable support to the defense and space supply chain system.

Meetings with Kansans
National Sheriff’s Association
On Tuesday, I met with Franklin County Sheriff Jeff Richards and Undersheriff Kiel Lasswell, who were in Washington, D.C., for the annual National Sheriff’s Association meeting. I had the chance to thank them for their service to the residents of Franklin County and for keeping the community safe. We further discussed our shared interest in securing the border and the need for continued funding for our federal law enforcement partners, who provide free advanced training programs for state and local departments. Often, our rural law enforcement partners lean on our federal partners for these advanced training programs that are otherwise too expensive to attend. Thank you, Jeff and Kiel, for the work you do.

Kansas Fraternal Order of Police
Later on Tuesday, I also met with Matt Blassingame, Kansas Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Legislative Committee; Topeka FOP President Ben Heusted, KCK Immediate Past President Scott Kirkpatrick and Kansas FOP State Lodge Immediate Past President Casey Slaughter. During our meeting, we spoke about the recent passage of the Social Security Fairness Act, a bill I cosponsored, which was recently signed into law. This legislation restores full pensions to public service retirees, including law enforcement officers. We had the chance to discuss several other FOP legislative priorities which I will continue to monitor as they work their way through Congress.

Children’s Mercy
Also on Tuesday, I met with Dr. Alejandro Quiroga, the new CEO of Children’s Mercy Kansas City. Children’s Mercy provides lifesaving, quality care to children from across the nation and around the world, and it is ranked one of America’s best children’s hospitals. Dr. Quiroga’s past experience in managing the largest health care system in Michigan makes him well equipped to continue the great work at Children’s Mercy. I look forward to working with him to make certain Kansas families and children have access to world-class care and medical professionals in our region.

Special Olympics
This week, individuals from the Kansas Special Olympics Program stopped by to visit with me. They do incredible work unifying athletes through sports in Kansas by bringing together students with and without disabilities in a variety of sports. Among the delegation were three Kansan athletes, who proudly displayed their medals earned through their participation in Special Olympics sports. The Kansas Special Olympics Program hosted more than 300 activities in our state in just the last year. I look forward to continue advocating for strong federal support for Special Olympics programs each year through my role on the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

NextEra CEO
I had the chance to meet with NextEra Energy CEO John Ketchum this week to discuss the importance of providing low-cost, reliable energy to Kansans. Kansas remains a top producer of renewable energy and continues to innovate with new ventures across the state in hydrogen and carbon capture and sequestration. Investing in new energy technologies will result in a more reliable electric grid that can withstand increased usage from our state’s growing economy. I look forward to our continued partnership to keep energy costs low for Kansas families and businesses.

Secretary Reed, KDOT
On Tuesday, I met with Secretary Calvin Reed of the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) and other KDOT representatives to discuss progress on ongoing transportation initiatives throughout the state and to preview KDOT priorities in the new year. Secretary Reed and his colleagues were in Washington, D.C., to gather with other state transportation officials for an American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) conference.

In my role as a senior member of both the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and of the Senate Appropriations Committee, where I serve on the subcommittee that funds the Department of Transportation, I value the opportunity for Kansans and Kansas state officials to provide input on America’s transportation future. As Congress undertakes a number of significant transportation priorities, including reauthorizing the federal agencies and programs related to surface transportation and infrastructure, partners like KDOT will be invaluable to passing these significant pieces of legislation. Thank you to Secretary Reed for his time this week, in addition to his leadership and our partnership to keep Kansas roadways operating safely and efficiently.

Kansans in the Office

Capital Tours
Alec Risser of Wichita

Easton Risser of Wichita

Linda Thomas of Hutchison

Mckenzie Risser of Wichita

Megan Ahsens of Topeka

Susan Richmeier of Garden City

Tricia Spenser of Hutchison

Children’s Mercy Hospital
Alejandro Quiroga if Kansas City

Dallas Poler of Kansas City

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
Jeff Richards of Ottawa

Kiel Lasswell of Ottawa

Fraternal Order of Police
Amanda Wood of Wichita

Ben Houston of Topeka

Casey Slaughter of Wichita

Matt Blassingame of Topeka

Kansas Association of School Boards
Brian Jordan of Topeka

Christy Weiler of Topeka

Emily Riner of Lecompton

Jodie Dietz of Overland Park

Judi Price of Levenworth

Tina Scott of Council Grove

Kansas Department of Transportation
Calvin Reed of Topeka

Kansas Independent College Association
Alden Stout of Wichita

Elizabeth Frombgen of Wichita

Matt Lindsey of Topeka

Kansas NSR EPSCoR and Kansas INBRE
Belinda Sturm of Lawrence

John Stanford of Kansas City

Kansas Rural Water Association
Bill Scroyer of Sabetha

Daryn Martin of El Dorado

Elmer Ronnebaum of Seneca

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes
Chesney Sallee of Kansas City

National District Attorney Association
Megan Ahsens of Topeka

Susan Richmeier of Garden City

Stacy Edwards of Topeka

Neurofibromatosis Central Plains
Sharon Loftspring of Leawood

Security Benefit
John Guyot of Topeka

Justin Carroll of Topeka

Zoe Gruber of Topeka

Special Olympics of Kansas
Caitlin Pierce of Kansas City

Dallas Rupp of Hays

Erin McDaniel of Kansas City

John Lair of Shawnee

Miranda Gill of Topeka

Olivia Ryan of Galena

Roman Jenkins of Topeka

Kansas Common Sense

Finding Answers: NTSB Briefs Commerce Committee

Feb 10 2025

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