Visit My Booth at the Kansas State Fair
The Kansas State Fair is open from now until September 15 and members of my staff are available to answer questions and provide information. You can visit our booth in the Pride of Kansas building each day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. To learn more about the State Fair, click here.

Joining the Kansas Hospital Association Annual Convention
I had the opportunity to speak at the Kansas Hospital Association’s (KHA) annual convention where their leadership, board, hospitals CEOs and administrators gathered to discuss the challenges of today’s health care environment. Kansas health care leaders expressed their concerns about hospital closures, reimbursement rate difficulties and high drug prices on a state and national level. To address their concerns, I provided updates on my legislative priorities that are focused on bettering 340B drug prices, keeping rural hospitals open and improving rebates through the 340B Program. My legislation, the REH Improvement Act, allows Critical Access Hospitals facing closure to convert to Rural Emergency Hospitals, while the SUSTAIN 340B Act provides discounts, rebates and reforms drug pricing through clarifying the 340B program.

Communities grow and flourish in towns where there is access to local health care. I am grateful to each of our hospital CEOs, administrators and their teams for the invaluable work they do. Thank you to KHA President Chad Austin and Audrey Dunkel for inviting me to address the convention.

You can read more about the REH Improvement Act here and the SUSTAIN 340B Act here.



Announcing Resources for Fort Hays Tech North Central
This week, I was in Beloit to announce federal resources for Fort Hays Tech North Central. These funds will allow the school to expand its welding, Commercial Driver’s License and nursing programs. Expanding these programs will continue attracting Kansans to schools like Fort Hays Tech North Central and equip students to work in communities close to them. Thanks to President Eric Burks for joining me for this announcement.



Expanding Defense Research and Production at Spirit AeroSystems
This week, the Air Force announced a contract award of $23.8 million to Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita to expand research and production for the Air Force. The contract was awarded by the Air Force Research Laboratory from Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. I worked with my colleagues on the Senate Committee on Appropriations to ensure this program was funded because of its importance to national security and Kansas. I am pleased by the Department of Defense’s continued investment in Kansas and am looking forward to seeing this partnership between Spirit and the Air Force.

You can read more about the contract here in the Wichita Business Journal.

Visits Across Kansas
Beloit Rotary Club
I visited the Beloit Rotary club on Tuesday to discuss issues impacting the community. We discussed the need for more housing, childcare and the importance of an updated Farm Bill. I also discussed the need to secure the border, the significant roles local hospitals play in rural communities and the legislation I’ll be introducing to protect landowners with the NIETC transmission line proposal. You can read more about my concerns with the NIETC proposal here.

Thank you to Rotary Club President Stephanie Simmons and the Beloit Rotary for hosting me.



Lincoln High School
After my stop in Beloit, I traveled to Lincoln County to visit with Lincoln High School students. It was great to visit with students, faculty and staff, as well as stop by different classrooms to see what students are learning this semester. Lincoln High School offers a wide range of classes that help prepare students for a variety of vocational interests. Thanks to Principal Stefanie Couch, Superintendent Nikki Flinn and students Jeremiah Miller, Levi Bates and Gabriella Rosado for giving me a tour of the school.

Reviewing the U.S. Nuclear Program
Oak Ridge Y-12 Facility
On my way back to Washington, D.C., I visited the Y-12 facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This facility enriches uranium for nuclear weapons, which is vital to our national security. They work in partnership with the Kansas City National Security Campus as part of our nation's nuclear weapons supply chain and manufacturing. I want to thank the people at Oak Ridge for the informational tour and for their service to the nation.

Raising Awareness for National Suicide Prevention Month 
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Let’s continue raising awareness and offer help to friends, family and community members around us. In 2019, I co-authored the National Suicide Hotline Designation Act to designate 9-8-8 as the national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline.

If you or someone you know is at risk, please contact 9-8-8 or visit 988lifeline.org to get 24/7 help.



Capitol Tour
Eric Cook of Lawrence

Isaac Cook of Lawrence

Ashlyn Dold of Maize

Jake Dold of Maize

Sterling Dold of Maize

Jennifer Griffin of Wichita

Geoffrey Holton of Kansas City

Jennifer Holton of Kansas City

John Holton of Kansas City

Judy Joy of Smith Center

Trey Joy of Lenexa

Amy Langford of Overland Park

Bennett Langford of Overland Park

Connor Langford of Overland Park

Jeffrey Langford of Overland Park

Susan Preziosa of Lenexa

Bob Rometti of Lenexa

Angela Stone of Garden City

Gregory Stone of Garden City

Shannon Wedge of Wichita

Nancy Zielke of Kansas City

Kansas Corn
Josh Roe of Manhattan