Kansas Common Sense
Welcoming the 47th President of the United States
Every four years, we as Americans have the privilege of witnessing the inauguration of the President of the United States – a symbol of our democracy. On Monday, I attended President Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th President of the United States of America.
President Trump stated his mission of bringing peace and stability to the United States by securing our southern border, restoring law and order in our cities and deterring threats from abroad. I applaud President Trump’s commitment to protecting our nation and governing with common sense. I look forward to working with President Trump and my colleagues in the Senate to work to improve the lives of Kansans and Americans and help our country flourish.
I took this photo of President Trump during his swearing-in ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda.
Remembering Martin Luther King Jr.
This week, we remember and honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his lifetime of work to make certain people of all races are treated equally. Dr. King said at Sumner Academy in Kansas City, “The time is always right, to do what is right.”
Hearings to Review President Trump’s Nominees
Congressman Sean Duffy, Department of Transportation
On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation convened a hearing to consider the nomination of Congressman Sean Duffy, who represented Wisconsin’s 7th district in the U.S. House of Representatives, to serve as Secretary of Transportation under President Trump. During the hearing, members of the committee had the opportunity to ask Congressman Duffy about his qualifications for the role, his plans for the Department of Transportation and its subagencies and how he and the incoming administration will seek to increase safety and bolster America’s transportation sector. I asked Mr. Duffy about Boeing’s future, calling attention to Boeing’s ties to Spirit AeroSystems, Kansas’ largest private employer.
You can watch my questions about Boeing here.
I also reiterated to Mr. Duffy the importance of the federal contract tower program for air service development in rural areas, the importance of long-distance Amtrak passenger rail running through Kansas, and diversifying geographical representation on the Amtrak Board of Directors. Additionally, I raised the role of short line rail providers in connecting Kansas producers to markets for their goods.
You can watch my questions on railways here.
John Ratcliffe, Central Intelligence Agency
Acting quickly to make certain our national security leaders are in place as President Trump takes office, the Senate Intelligence Committee held the nomination hearing for John Ratcliffe to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency. I asked him about his views on the threat Russia poses to the United States and our partners and how Russia compares to other adversaries in terms of opportunities to find stable solutions. I also sought assurance that he will provide the President and Congress accurate intelligence untainted by political bias.
The world is increasingly dangerous to America’s interests, and the CIA needs firm and effective leadership to meet these challenges.
You can watch my questions here.
Congressman Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency
This week, I questioned President Trump’s nominee for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Congressman Lee Zeldin, during a Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing. Along with my colleagues, I’ve created a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) caucus to promote the expansion and production of sustainable fuels. Kansas, and Wichita in particular, is the Air Capital of the World – a hub for aviation manufacturing. I want to bring the agricultural aspects of Kansas together with the aviation aspects and pursue the development of SAF.
I also highlighted the importance of the State Revolving Fund to Kansas water infrastructure, the need for a robust critical mineral supply chain and the importance of tailoring regulations for Kansas independent oil and gas producers.
You can watch my questions here.
Meeting with FBI Director Nominee Kash Patel
This week, I met with President Trump's nominee for Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kash Patel. We had a productive discussion regarding the importance of the FBI working with state, local and federal law enforcement partners to keep the citizens of the United States safe. We also discussed the importance of transparency and accountability in rebuilding trust between the public and the FBI. I look forward to his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Israel’s Ceasefire Agreement
On Wednesday, a ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Hamas and Israel was reached, marking a hopeful step toward a lasting peace and offering relief to both Israelis and Palestinians who have suffered in this conflict. The deal establishes a six-week pause in fighting, the release of 33 hostages and facilitates the daily entry of 600 vehicles carrying vital humanitarian aid into Gaza. I am ready to support the Trump administration in securing the release of all hostages, including Americans, and continuing to support Israel’s safety and security.
Speaking at Elizabeth Dole Foundation Reception
On Tuesday, I spoke at a reception held by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation to celebrate President Biden signing the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, into law. The bill supports veterans, caregivers and survivors by improving access to VA health care and benefits, expanding long-term care programs, preserving the MISSION Act, strengthening programs for student veterans and military family members and more. I sponsored the legislation in the Senate, which included access to home and community-based long-term care programs, preserves best medical interest decisions by veterans and their doctors, and better supports caregivers and survivors.
It is fitting that this bill is named after honorary Kansan and my dear friend, Senator Elizabeth Dole, a lifelong champion of veterans and their caregivers. I appreciate all of the hard work that Senator Dole and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation do for veterans and their caregivers, and I look forward to building on the success of the Dole Act in 119th Congress.
You can learn more about the legislation here.
Protecting the Sanctity of Life
I joined Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) in introducing the Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act – legislation that protects newborns who survive attempted abortions. In 2002, Congress passed the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, which requires newborns to be legally recognized as a person from the moment of birth if the newborn shows any sign of life. However, this law didn’t include enforcement measures to make sure the newborn is adequately cared for, which has left the door open for children being left to die after a failed abortion. I believe every child who survives an abortion should be provided the same level of care as any other child born alive at the same gestational age, and this legislation ensures this protection.
Restoring Accountability at the VA
I introduced the Restore VA Accountability Act with 12 of my Senate colleagues and with Chairman Bost from the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs to strengthen the Department of Veterans Affairs’ authority to hold poor-performing employees accountable. The Restore VA Accountability Act strengthens accountability by providing an expedited disciplinary processes for VA employees, ensuring that disciplinary decisions backed by substantial evidence are upheld on appeal, removing the need for a performance improvement plan before disciplinary action can be taken and aligning accountability processes for poor-performing managers with that of senior executives.
You can learn more about the legislation here.
Working Towards a Secure Border
This week, I joined my colleague Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) in introducing the Make Migrant Protection Protocols Mandatory Act. This legislation would require the Department of Homeland Security to enforce the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) enacted under President Trump during his first term, also known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy. The policy states the migrants arriving at our southern border will be issued a Notice to Appear for an immigration court hearing, and while waiting for the hearing date, will be returned to Mexico where the Mexican government has agreed to provide humanitarian aid as agreed to under the U.S.-Mexico Joint Declaration and Supplementary Agreement.
Border security is national security, and I look forward to working with President Trump and his administration and my senate colleagues to find ways to secure the border, halt the flow of fentanyl into our country and end the horror of human trafficking to keep our country safe.
Reintroducing the Farm to Fly Act
This week I introduced the Farm to Fly Act, a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) bill that would utilize current U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs to support the development of SAF, clarify federal definitions for SAF and enable greater collaboration between USDA and the private sector. The Farm to Fly Act will also help accelerate the production and development of SAF through existing USDA programs to allow further growth for alternative fuels to be used in the aviation sector, creates new markets for American farmers and increases domestic energy production and security. In September of 2024, I also launched the Sustainable Aviation Caucus to promote the longevity of the aviation and renewable fuels industries.
Protecting Benefits for Married Couples with Disabilities
On Monday, I reintroduced the Eliminating the Marriage Penalty in SSI Act with my colleague, Sen. Van Hollen (D-Md.). This legislation would make certain individuals with disabilities can get married and not risk losing their Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Under current law, married couples who both receive SSI benefits and have no other income see 25% less in benefits than their non-married counterparts. This policy has been a disincentive to marriage for individuals with disabilities. My legislation corrects this flawed policy, and I look forward to advancing the bill this Congress.
Expanding Access to Chiropractic Services
This week, I joined Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) and Richard Blumenthal’s (D-Conn.) legislation to improve access to chiropractic services. The Chiropractic Medicare Coverage Modernization Act of 2025 expands the Medicare coverage of chiropractic services to include all services provided by chiropractors, including diagnostic services like x-rays. These diagnostic services are needed to determine and prescribe appropriate chiropractic care. Currently, beneficiaries must first seek diagnostic tests elsewhere and then return to the chiropractor for covered care. I look forward to working with my colleagues to improve access to care for Medicare beneficiaries.
Celebrating with Kansans
Prior to the inauguration moving indoors, my office worked to provide tickets to more than 400 Kansans to attend the inauguration. While the weather led to the cancelation of the outdoor portion of the inauguration, I hope the many Kansans who traveled to Washington, D.C. were able to attend other inaugural events around D.C. I appreciated the opportunity to meet with some of the Kansans who travelled to D.C. prior to their tour of the Capitol.
Meeting with the New DAV National Commander
On Thursday, I met with the new national commander of Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Daniel Contreras. Commander Contreras is a service-connected disabled veteran of the U.S. Army and was recently elected to lead the more than 1 million DAV members nationwide. He served as an Army combat medic and nurse from 1980 to1986 and is a lifetime member of Chapter 99 in Oxnard, California.
In our conversation, I congratulated him on his election as National Commander and then discussed the importance of services that DAV provides to the military and veteran communities in Kansas and across the country. We also spoke about how to continue focusing on successful implementation of the PACT Act and the many veterans who are now eligible to receive health care and benefits through VA as a result of it. I am grateful for all of the work that DAV does for veterans suffering from toxic exposures, and I look forward to working with them in the in the future to continue supporting our nation’s veterans.
Meeting with Kansas Wheat
On Wednesday, I met with Kansas Wheat farmers during their trip to our nation’s capital for the National Association of Wheat Growers and U.S. Wheat Associates annual winter meeting. Our farmers are enjoying the winter moisture back in Kansas but are in need of a full reauthorization of the Farm Bill. During our conversation, we discussed the need to make wheat eligible as a cover-crop, the overall farm economy and the importance of expanding our trade agreements and finding new ones for our excess supply of raw commodities. I look forward to drafting and working on an updated Farm Bill as a Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture.
Thank you to Aaron Harries, Chris Tanner, Tim Turek, Clay Schemm, Brian Linin and Shayna DeGroot for visiting with me in Washington, D.C.
Capitol Tours
Christian Argueta of Garden City
Kansas Wheat
Shayna DeGroot of Manhattan
Justin Gilpin of Manhattan
Aaron Harries of Manhattan
Brian Linin of Goodland
Mike McClellan of Plainville
Gary Millershaski of Lakin
Clay Schemm of Sharon Springs
Chris Tanner of Norton
Tim Turek of South Haven
Panasonic North America
Tina Jeffress of De Soto
Leigh Merino of De Soto
The University of Kansas Health System
Dan Peters of Kansas City
Kenny Wilk of Basehor
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