Protecting Students
This week I joined my Senate colleagues in calling on Attorney General Merrick Garland and Secretary of the Department of Education Miguel Cardona to outline the steps both the Department of Justice and the Department of Education are taking to protect Jewish students on college campuses. As reported by several national news organizations, pro-Hamas rioters have effectively shut down many campuses with riots featuring an onslaught of disgusting and despicable acts of violence and intimidation towards the Jewish students in attendance of those universities.

I look forward to hearing from the Attorney General and Secretary of Education on the steps they are taking to ensure student safety and will continue to find ways that Congress can be helpful in this effort.

You can read the full letter here.

Senate Passes National Security Supplemental
The Senate overwhelmingly passed the National Security Supplemental sent from Speaker Johnson and the House of Representatives that provides resources for Israel, Ukraine, our Indo-Pacific partners and revitalizes the U.S. defense industrial base. It is vital for the U.S. to be a steadfast and reliable partner in the midst of so many dangers that threaten the world and our own nation’s peace and prosperity.

National security crises abroad and here at home are ever increasing. Iran launched a full-scale attack on Israel; Hamas has stated its intent to wipe Israel off the map; Russia continues its brutal aggression in Ukraine; and China is rapidly modernizing its military and using companies to spy and track Americans. There is no path forward for Ukraine, there is no path forward for Israel or for Taiwan if the U.S. disengages in the world. The price tag is significant, but in the absence of taking a stand now, we have to take a stand tomorrow. Do what we need to do today or pay a price later, and later will be even more costly. In addition, a majority of the funding provided to Ukraine in this package - over 70% - will be directly injected back into the U.S. economy, including manufacturing production in Kansas and the KC-area.

Passing the National Security Supplemental is not a stamp of approval for the Biden administration’s foreign policy agenda. The administration's failures to quickly assist Ukraine has produced devastating consequences. It is now President Biden's responsibility to show the American people he has a plan to support Ukraine and defeat Russia.

I am frustrated that we were unsuccessful in including border policies in this package. The crisis at the southern border is a grave national security threat. The administration’s continued inaction at the border is particularly frustrating, when the administration has many of the tools it needs to improve the situation. I will continue working to pass legislation to protect the border, but at the same time we must also work to bolster our national security in the areas that we can agree upon.

You can watch my speech on the Senate floor here.

Thank you to Nemaha Valley Community Hospital staff and CEO, Kiley Floyd, for having me in Seneca and for your work in ensuring that rural Kansans have access to quality medical care.

Pratt Rotary
On Thursday, I joined the Pratt Rotary meeting to discuss issues facing the nation such as border security, passing a new Farm Bill and conflict in the Middle East. The rotary also presented awards for the Rotary Youth Program to high school students Isaac Temanson and Quinn Thibault for their leadership in the area (pictured below).

Thank you to the rotary members for hosting me and to all those who joined the event.



Heinen Brothers Agra Services
On Friday morning, I toured the Heinen Brothers Agra Services facility. This company provides a wide range of aerial application services using state-of-the-art aviation technology and is one of the largest privately-owned entities of its kind anywhere in the country.

I would like to thank co-owners Scott and Glenn Heinen, Chief Technology Officer Lukas Koch, Jeff Hagerty and Chad Tenpenny for giving me a tour of the facility.



Crop Insurance Professionals Association Spring Membership Meeting
On Sunday evening, I spoke at the Spring Membership Meeting of the Crop Insurance Professionals Association (CIPA) in Kansas City. CIPA members provide an invaluable tool for risk management to farmers, and I appreciated the opportunity to address the over 300 attendees from across Kansas and the country. For rural communities to thrive, farming families have to be successful and a strong federal crop insurance program is necessary for farmer success. This meeting marks 20 years since CIPA’s founding, and I have valued their partnership during that time in advocating to improve crop insurance programs that benefit producers. As discussion continues on the current Farm Bill, I look forward to continuing to work with CIPA on maintaining a strong crop insurance program.



Recognizing K-State's 39th Truman Scholar
This week, K-State senior Adelaide Easter was named K-State's 39th Truman Scholar. The Truman scholarship is a highly competitive national award that provides funds for graduate studies, training and internship opportunities in the federal government. Last summer, Adelaide worked as in intern in my Washington, D.C. office and worked on various agricultural and food assistance issues.

Congratulations Adelaide on this accomplishment, and I wish you the best in your future career.



Kansans in the Office