Our Farmers Need Immediate Relief & a Long-Term Farm Bill
Calling on Congress to Pass a Farm Bill
I spoke on the Senate Floor this week to further emphasize the importance of passing a Farm Bill and providing security for our farmers and ranchers. Decisions not to get a Farm Bill done have come home to roost. Farm income has declined 43% over the past five years, and net farm income is expected to be 27% lower this year than it was in 2022. Our agricultural trade deficit is something we used to be proud about as we exported more than we imported in agriculture, but now it’s at a $42.5 billion deficit. We import more than we export. That puts our farmers even more at risk, and it threatens the stability and security of our national economy.

The current Farm Bill is not adequate to provide relief or safety nets for our nation’s farmers, nor is it reflective of the current state of the farm economy. Our farmers deserve and need better, and in the absence of successful farmers, the future of the places many of us call home is bleak.

You can read more about providing farm security in RFDTV here and watch my floor speech here.

Meeting with Panasonic Energy
On Wednesday, I met with Allan Swan, the President of Panasonic Energy North America, to discuss the status of Panasonic’s DeSoto battery facility and the importance advanced manufacturing tax credits. I look forward to continuing to work with Panasonic on this issue, as well as strengthening our state’s manufacturing workforce.

Thank you to COO Kirk Cerny and Counsel Rod Eisenhauer for also joining the discussion.



Discussing Legislation to Bolster Nonprofits
Also on Wednesday, I spoke with nonprofit employees from across the country during a meeting with the Nonprofit Alliance. Unfortunately, charitable giving has slowed in past years due to a change in the tax code. To reverse this trend, I cosponsored a bipartisan bill to extend and expand the expired charitable deduction for those who do not itemize it on their tax returns. I am also working to ensure nonprofits are not negatively impacted by a growing patchwork of state data privacy laws that will make operations more difficult. Additionally, I am working towards a comprehensive federal consumer data privacy law that provides stability for businesses and strong protections for consumers.

Thanks for taking the time to meet with me.



Visiting with Wahid Nawabi, CEO of AeroVironment
On Thursday, I met with Wahid Nawabi, the CEO of AeroVironment. AeroVironment is a defense manufacturing company that makes small drones for the Army and for other Special Operations units in the military. I was pleased to hear from Mr. Nawabi of AeroVironment’s plan to move into a new facility in Lawrence that will double their production space in Kansas. I also enjoyed hearing about the impressive internship program they run, in which they recruit heavily from KU. I want to thank Mr. Nawabi and the people of AeroVironment for the important work they do in Kansas and look forward to visiting AeroVironment in Lawrence.   

Meetings with Kansans
Secure Passage
This week, I met with Kansas City-area company Secure Passage, which specializes in the convergence of cyber and physical security. We discussed the current threats to the security of infrastructure and how Secure Passage is able to protect assets. We also discussed the importance of workforce development in Kansas, and I shared information about the work I am doing to ensure Kansas cybersecurity companies can grow in our state. Thank you to Chief Operations Officer Kirk Cerny and Counsel Rod Eisenhauer for stopping by.



Kansas Farm Bureau Class
It was great to visit with the 2024 Leadership Kansas Farm Bureau (KFB) Class this week in my Washington, D.C. office. Kansas Farm Bureau created Leadership KFB with the purpose of developing their members as grassroots leaders. This year-long program focuses on creating influential, thought-leaders who will choose to engage, create change and look for solutions, not only in agriculture, but in counties and communities across the state. I enjoyed speaking with these Kansas leaders, who are dedicated to preserving our rural way of life.

Thank you to Jessica Johns of Riley Co; Luke Kaiser and Zoe (Schultz) Kaiser of Gove Co; Keith Kelly and Bradon Kerwin of Jackson Co; Calab Mattix of Thomas Co; Ivy Tatum of Cowley Co; and Katie Van Allen of Phillips Co for the conversation.



Kansas Automobile Dealers
On Tuesday, I met with members of the Kansas Automobile Dealers Association (KADA) during their annual meetings in Washington, D.C. I appreciated the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the issues that matter most to Kansas automobile dealers, which boast more than $7.5 billion in total sales during 2023. Unfortunately, the Vehicle Shopping Rule, finalized by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) threatens the success of the automobile dealers by adding more time, complexity, paperwork and costs to the car-buying process. Last fall, I introduced legislation to address this flawed rule by stopping its implementation and requiring the FTC to follow basic regulatory safeguards should the agency choose to redo the rule. In addition to discussing the Vehicle Shopping Rule, the dealers shared their concerns with the Biden administration’s push toward lower greenhouse gas emissions for certain trucks.

Thank you to Don McNeely, Robert Brogden, state Senator Jeff Longbine, Pat Shields, Andy Hoffman and Larry Carl for their time this week.



Visits Across Kansas
2024 Walk to End Alzheimer's
It was great to speak at the opening session of the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s event in Hays on Saturday morning. The regional group was able to raise more than $11,000 to help fight this disease that nearly seven million American are living with. As a member of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease, I am committed to working on legislation that builds on important progress to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s.

It was great to see my good friend, and former college classmate, Jeff Seibel, as well as many other folks that I’ve known for years. A big thank you to Leigh Purdy for helping organize the walk. 



Fort Hays State University Football Game
Before leaving Hays, I attended the Fort Hays State University football game. Fort Hays State secured a victory over Northeastern State with a 37-0 win and now have a record of 3-1. Congrats to the team on their win this weekend.



Carmicheal’s True Value
I visited Carmicheal’s True Value store to celebrate their 80th anniversary. Located in my hometown of Plainville, Carmicheal’s has been contributing to the community for many years. It is also where I had one of my first jobs. I look forward to seeing the store continue to flourish. Congratulation on 80 years!



Paradise Fall Festival
On Saturday afternoon, I visited Paradise to attend their annual Fall Festival. For seven years, this festival has hosted a variety of events and local vendors to showcase what Paradise has to offer.

Thanks to the city council for putting on this event and letting me stop by.



Celebrating the Opening of Bartlett’s Processing Plant
This week, Bartlett – a soybean processing company – completed construction on its new processing plant in Cherryvale. Bartlett has been working with local farmers and grain companies across Kansas to produce soybean oil, provide stable jobs and support the biofuel industry. This new facility will further integrate Kansas' leading industries — aviation, energy and agriculture — to create soybean oil that can be converted into sustainable aviation fuel. It will also handle up to 49 million bushels of soybeans annually, providing sustainable soy feedstocks for refined vegetable oil and animal feed. While I was unable to attend the event in person due to votes in the Senate, I look forward to seeing this project develop to provide new markets for our farmers and cleaner energy for the aviation industry

National Service Dog Day
On Friday, I led a resolution with Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) marking September 20th as National Service Dog Day in honor of service dogs across the country. Service dogs are highly skilled and well trained to provide life-saving assistance and support to individuals with disabilities, including veterans of our Armed Forces. For nearly a century, man’s best friend has helped those living with visual, hearing and other impairments navigate the world. I commend the organizations that work to prepare and provide service dogs to veterans and other Americans living with disabilities. 



Celebrating 77 Years of the Air Force
On Wednesday, the United States Air Force celebrated its 77th birthday. In its 77 years, the Air Force has innovated and excelled at providing readiness and combat capabilities from the air. Kansas is home to McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita and many airmen and women. Thank you to all current and former Air Force members across the country for their service to our nation.