Hello,

  

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.

  

On Wednesday, the Senate Commerce Committee approved the Empowering Olympic and Amateur Athletes Act that U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and I introduced in July to dramatically reform the governance and accountability structures of the U.S. Olympic movement. As the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee with jurisdiction over the health and safety of U.S Olympic and amateur athletes, our legislation was crafted following an eighteen-month investigation into systemic abuse within the U.S. Olympic movement. The joint inquiry included four subcommittee hearings, interviews with Olympic athletes and survivors, and the retrieval of over 70,000 pages of documents. The development this week moved us one step closer to the passage of our sweeping reform legislation, and I look forward to moving ahead on the Senate floor.

  

I also gave remarks on the Senate floor following the successful markup that described the investigative and legislative efforts of this necessary legislation.  Particularly, the thoughtful amendment contributions of U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) to the legislation further bolstered the accountability and oversight of the U.S. Olympic movement. The robust and bipartisan support of my Senate colleagues has proven to be invaluable to this process. My remarks can be viewed by clicking here.

  

  

On Veteran’s Day, I was honored to be in the Air Capital of the World for a Federal Forum hosted by the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, Friends of McConnell, the Greater Wichita Partnership, Wichita Independent Business Association and Wichita State University.  During my remarks, I discussed the dangers of socialism and emphasized that we must work together to show the American people and those who fought to protect our way of life that we can solve our country’s issues in a way that upholds the Constitution and provides individuals the opportunity to realize their potential in the greatness of this country. And we can look to Wichita for evidence of how free enterprise and the American Dream go hand in hand – where we can confirm that free markets and individual initiative, not socialism, create economic well-being.  Upon the conclusion of my remarks, I was honored to receive the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Spirit of Enterprise” award which recognizes Members of Congress who support policies that create an environment where businesses can grow and create jobs. 

  

Thank you to Coleen Jennison of Cox Communications for the kind introduction. Congratulations to Pat Gallagher, Military Affairs Liaison for the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, who was recognized as the 2019 recipient of the prestigious Tampa Bay Trophy award. Created by the Tampa Bay Defense Alliance, this national award honors a civilian for sustained and enduring service as well as contributions to community, airmen and families of the United States Air Force.  And special thanks to Colonel Richard Tanner, commander of the 22nd Air Refueling Wing at McConnell Air Force Base, for presenting Pat with this well-deserved honor. 

  

On Wednesday, I was pleased to support the NASA Reauthorization Act of 2019 and its passage out of the Senate Commerce Committee. This bill includes provisions from my Aeronautics Innovation Act designed to boost innovation, research and development within the aeronautics industry. The bill also included a provision that would authorize the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technology Program. This provision would grant NASA the authority to create an official collaboration project with the aerospace industry and academia that would build upon the success of the Advanced Composites Consortium, of which Spirit AeroSystems and the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University are members.

  

On Tuesday, I met with leaders from the Southwest Kansas Coalition, including Dodge City Mayor Brian Delzeit and Assistant City Manager Ernestor De La Rosa, Garden City Commissioner Troy Unruh and City Manager Matt Allen. I appreciated our conversation on issues important to their communities and how we can work in partnership to advance the region.  

  

One item of discussion was our nation’s broken immigration system, and how too often we allow politics to prevent Congress from making meaningful progress. I believe Congress should deal with the issues that many Republicans and Democrats can agree on, such as providing certainty to DACA recipients and enhancing security at our nation’s southern border. For southwest Kansas, services provided by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) are also critical, and I am eager to engage the agency on the need for more frequent mobile services to the region.  

  

Transportation infrastructure is critical to the economy of southwest Kansas, and I remain a strong supporter of the Essential Air Service (EAS) program and Amtrak’s Southwest Chief route through the region. While significant progress has been made in recent years to secure funding and commitments from Amtrak for the preservation of the Southwest Chief, I will continue my efforts to ensure Amtrak officials uphold their commitments and passenger rail service connecting southwest Kansas communities and businesses to the rest of the country is successful and endures for the long term.

  

  

On Thursday, I met with leadership from the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce to discuss the issues of importance to the city. One topic important not only to the city, but the state, is infrastructure. With FAST Act Reauthorization next year, the meeting gave us a chance to discuss the priority issues to the city and how we can ensure Kansas’ needs are reflected as it relates to infrastructure. During the meeting, we also discussed trade, business development in the region and how we can work together to advance Johnson County and the surrounding area. Thanks to those in attendance for their productive conversation.

  

  

On Wednesday, I supported Michael Graham’s nomination to be a member of the National Transportation Safety Board as it passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee. A Kansan, Mr. Graham currently serves as the Director of Flight Operations Safety, Security, and Standardization at Textron Aviation, where he has worked since 1997. Prior to his work in the aviation industry, he spent nine years as a Naval Aviator flying A-7’s and F/A 18’s as well as being an F/A-18 Aircrew instructor for Boeing/McDonnell Douglas. With a long and decorated career of service and safety, both in the military and as a civilian, Mr. Graham is well suited to be a member of the National Transportation Safety Board and I am proud to call him a Kansan. I look forward to Mr. Graham’s quick confirmation and appreciate his willingness to continue to serve our country.

  

On Thursday, I met with students of Salina’s Sacred Heart High School during their annual trip to Washington, D.C. During their visit, we discussed the goals and ambitions of these students, many of which included the desire to further their education in Kansas. We also discussed their trip to our nation’s capital, current issues before the Senate and recent updates at Sacred Heart. Thanks to teacher and trip sponsor John Hamilton for his work and commitment to these students, and for inviting me many times to visit with his classes in Salina.

  

  

On Friday, I toured the United States Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs. The U.S. Space Command is a unified combatant command under the Department of Defense that works to advance the United States’ national security through the space domain. During our tour, we discussed the strengths and opportunities of Space Command, and current challenges being faced by the division. As an appropriator, it is vital to see first-hand how our decisions in Congress to allocate taxpayer dollars are being utilized to protect our national security. Thank you to Commander of the U.S. Space Command General John Raymond for the informative tour of the facility and productive conversation on the ongoing work to protect our nation from its adversaries.

  

  

On Friday, I was at the United States Air Force Academy where I had the honor of sitting down with a number of cadets and airmen from Kansas. During lunch, we discussed their transition from high school in Kansas to the challenging and rewarding environment of the United States Air Force Academy. These young men and women worked hard to secure a nomination and gain admittance to the academy, and their dedication, work ethic and intellect make Kansans proud. During our conversation, I thanked them for their current and future service to our nation. As future officers in the U.S. Air Force, they will help lead men and women in the work to protect our country.

  

  

Capt. John Erickson of Clay Center

Mayor Shawn Rizza of Atchison

  

Stacey Baldwin of Overland Park

Dana Jacobson of Overland Park

Ali Melliti of Overland Park

Katie Petrosky of Overland Park

Timothy Steele of Olathe

  

Keith Warta of Topeka

  

Maj. Danny Sjursen of Lawrence

  

Frank Male of Lawrence

Karl Schottler of Lenexa

  

Linda Huston of Topeka

Michael Huston of Topeka

Jeffrey Jarman of Lenexa

Zachary Jarman of Lenexa

Erica Lichtenauer of Topeka

Jaxtyn Lichtenauer of Topeka

John Lichtenauer of Topeka

Kyan Lichtenauer of Topeka

Zayne Lichtenauer of Topeka

  

Jacob Bush of Lincoln

Lauren Bush of Lincoln

Payton Bush of Lincoln

Sterling Bush of Lincoln

Scott Rigal of Lincoln

Tiffany Royal of Lincoln

Kevin Smith of Wichita

Mona Smith of Wichita

  

Alan Bauman of Prairie Village

Jennifer Brown of Prairie Village

Alisha Gridley of Wichita

Mark Shobe of Wichita

  

Mayor Tom Brown of McPherson

Matt Allen of Garden City

Ernestor De La Rose of Garden City

Brian Delzeit of Dodge City

Doug Smith of Topeka

Troy Unruh of Garden City

  

Robert Bausch of Topeka

Roger Beach of Tonganoxie

Christopher Blarie of Topeka

David Galvan of Topeka

John Garretson of Topeka

  

Jeff Long of Lawrence

  

Mike Hess of Stilwell

Mike Hockey of Overland Park

Bobby Olm-Shipman of Overland Park

Tracey Osborn Oltjen of Overland Park

Tony Rupp of Olathe

Kevin Walker of Olathe

Joseph Rupnick of Mayetta

  

Sara Del Real of Salina

Kelsie Gack of Salina

Hannah Goetz of Salina

John Hamilton of Salina

Nathan Ivey of Salina

Alyssa Maya of Salina

Bryan Nauanlasy of Salina

Mason Richards of Salina

Gaby Rodriguez of Salina

Lauren Torrey of Salina

Jacob Wasserman of Salina

Ken Wasserman of Salina

Pam Wasserman of Salina

  

Dr. Mae Winchester of Kansas City

Jennifer Dowell of Wamego

Jessic Helt of Altamont

Sean Hudspeth of Wichita

Janice Huffman of Emporia

David Love of Leawood

Jena Lysen of Wichita

Catherine McMillen of Liberal

Suzanne McVey of Olathe

Amber Neise of Wichita

Kristyn Reust of Liberal

Cindy Volanti of Manhattan

Sara Wildin of Wamego

  

Kimberly Caldwell of Wichita

  

Jesse Mitchell of Sabetha

  

Terri Bennett of Wichita

Scott Knapp of Wichita

   

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