Responding to the State of the Union
With three years of policies to stand on, the American people have ample data to assess the state of the union under President Biden’s leadership.

The American people were assured that inflation was transitory, but the high prices at the grocery store and the gas pump seem like they are here to stay. ‘Bidenomics’ reminded us of what we already knew – spending billions of dollars to reduce inflation only leads to higher prices for the everyday American.

There is a national security and humanitarian crisis at the southern border. Our border patrol are overwhelmed; drugs and people are being trafficked into our country; families are losing loved ones to fentanyl poisoning and our cities are aren’t able to house and provide for thousands of migrants. President Biden must take immediate action to fortify the border, slow illegal migration and apprehend criminals.

In addition to the crisis at the border, we are dealing with an internal crisis of rising violent crime. Criminals have learned that their actions will not be punished, and law enforcement officers are no longer revered but reviled. I will always back the blue and use my authority in Congress to provide our law enforcement with the equipment and training they need to faithfully execute their mission and protect our communities.

In the midst of a divided Congress, support for our veterans has been unwavering. I was pleased to hear President Biden mention and address the success of the PACT Act for our nation’s veterans. The bicameral and bipartisan legislation has allowed thousands of veterans to enroll in VA health care to detect and treat illnesses caused by toxic exposures during their service.

Even as we approach an election season and continue working in a divided Congress, I urge President Biden to work with the House and the Senate to secure the border, lower prices and restore safety in our communities.

New Investments for Fort Riley
As a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, I helped secure federal funding to make additions and updates to Fort Riley. Congress passed annual appropriations for military construction, and through that legislation, Fort Riley will see new resources for an aircraft maintenance hangar, an Infantry Platoon Battle Course, an air traffic control tower and improvements to the Bob Dole railyard.

Kansas plays a crucial role in bolstering our nation's military and national security. Ensuring that our active duty and national guard have the essential infrastructure to carry out their missions is paramount. I am committed to advocating for the funding required to support and sustain our military capabilities.

Read more about the new investments in the Manhattan Mercury.

Protecting Parents’ Rights to Peacefully Protest School Boards
I authored a provision in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024 to prohibit the Department of Justice (DOJ) from targeting or investigating parents for peacefully protesting at school board meetings. Recently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has been targeting parents who disagree with their local school boards. Parents should be encouraged to take an active role in their child’s education and that includes holding school leaders accountable for their policies. This provision helps make certain federal law enforcement are working to apprehend criminals, not investigating frustrated parents who peacefully protest at their local school board meetings.

Cutting Federal Spending
As the vice-chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce Justice and Science, I helped draft and pass the annual funding bill that provides resources to further our nation’s priorities in scientific innovation, law enforcement and economic development. This fiscally responsible bill reduced spending by $2.5 billion and invested in programs aimed at keeping communities safe, supporting science and technological research to stay ahead of China and accelerating returning Americans to space.

You can read more about the bill’s resources here.

Listening to Veterans at Joint House & Senate VA Committee Hearing
This week, I joined my House and Senate colleagues, Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) and Mark Takano (D-Calif.) and Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.), for two joint hearings that focused on the legislative priorities of multiple veteran service organizations (VSOs). On Wednesday, members of both committees heard from two panels of witnesses that featured the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Wounded Warrior Project, Paralyzed Veterans of America and many others. On Thursday, members heard from representatives from Disabled American Veterans.

On Wednesday, members of both committees heard from former Senator and honorary Kansan, Senator Elizabeth Dole, on her legislative efforts to improve VA’s support of home and community-based services for aging veterans. She has dedicated her life to being an advocate for veterans and their caregivers, and I was honored to have her speak during the joint hearing. I want to thank her for everything that she continues to do for veterans and their families.

As Ranking Member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I enjoy hearing from veterans directly about what challenges they face and how Congress can best support them through legislation and oversight of VA. I would like to thank my House and Senate colleagues and all the veterans who shared their stories.

You can watch my opening remarks here.

Wounded Warrior Project
On Wednesday, I met with several representatives from the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) to discuss their legislative priorities for veterans in Kansas in the coming year. In our meeting, we talked about the importance of timely access to high quality mental health care to better prevent veteran suicide and increasing access to VA’s Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs.

We share many of the same priorities for Congress, but the work that I do would not be possible without the support and front-line expertise of the WWP. Thank you to Brent Whitten and Keara Torkelson and WWP for your hard work in D.C., in Kansas and across the country for our nation’s veterans.

Kansas Association of Broadcasters
This week, I met with members of the Kansas Associations of Broadcasters to discuss the importance of local broadcasters and challenges facing their industry, including the removal of AM radios from electric vehicles and the advent of streaming television services. I believe local broadcasters are vital to their communities as they focus on providing timely information that is relevant to their areas, like weather updates, agricultural commodities and local government activities.

Thank you to Allison Mazzei, Philip McComb, Brook Arnold, Roger Brokke, Justine Fluke and Mike Rajewski for meeting with me.

Department of Kansas Disabled American Veterans
On Wednesday, I met with representatives from Kansas with the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to discuss their legislative priorities for veterans in Kansas. Our discussion was based around the need to address the backlog of disability claims with VA.

I would like to thank DAV for their support of my legislation, the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act, that expands home and community-based services for aging veterans and improves caregiver programs that are provided by VA. Caregivers play a vital role in the recovery and well-being of our veterans, yet lack the recognition and support they deserve.

Thank you to Duane Bauer of Herington Karin Myron of Saint George for the work you do.

You can read more about the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act here.

Expanding GI Benefits for Guardsman and Reservists
This week, I introduced legislation with Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) to expand GI Bill benefits to certain federal duty statuses performed by the National Guard and Reserve components. The Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2024 would permit additional federal active-duty guardsmen and reservists service to count towards their GI Bill eligibility. Education is one of the greatest investments we can make in our servicemembers and their future.

In recent years, the National Guard and Reserve components have been called on more than ever to serve on behalf of the federal government. This legislation acknowledges the importance that every day in uniform is a service to our nation and those who serve deserve the benefits they have earned.

You can read more about the legislation here.

Senate Youth Program Reception
On Wednesday, I met Madison Finch of Leavenworth, Tucker Leck of Neodesha and Robert Rasmussen of Beloit, who are this year’s U.S. Senate Youth Program Kansas delegates. The Senate Youth Program offers high school students the opportunity to represent our state and learn more about government and the legislative process. I appreciated the opportunity to speak to these bright young Kansans about what they’ve learned and how they’re enjoying time spent in the nation’s capital.

Robert was one of my nominees to the United States Air Force Academy, and I was glad to wish him well as he begins his time at the academy.