Message from Rep. Tracey Mann. Having Trouble Viewing? Click Here. Fellow Kansan, Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter! I’m excited to update you on my work in Washington, D.C. and the First District of Kansas. It is an honor to represent Kansans in the Big First District in the 118th Congress. I do not serve in Congress to be a caretaker in the slow demise of America – I serve to fight and work to make it stronger, and I believe our brightest days are yet to come. Yours in service,   Mann.House.Gov The Week Ahead This week, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on whether to strike down President Biden’s veto of H.J. Res 27, a resolution to review of President Biden’s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, which removes longstanding bipartisan exemptions for common water features like ponds and streams found on private property. Congress has spoken clearly to President Biden on this issue, but he is refusing to listen. While President Biden would like to federally regulate every small stream, ditch, and puddle from sea to shining sea, American producers have been the careful custodians of their own resources for centuries. They are the original conservationists, and their livelihoods already depend on their voluntary efforts to care for their water resources. This attempt to legislate from the Executive Branch serves only to cement outrageous government overreach into the businesses, private property, and private lives of the people who feed, fuel, and clothe us all. Committee Work: Today, I am chairing my first hearing for the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry where my colleagues and I will review USDA animal disease prevention and response efforts. Animal health issues don’t always get the attention they deserve, but as we have seen with past animal disease outbreaks, their enormous economic consequences extend well beyond the animal industry. Also today, the House Committee on Natural Resources is holding a hearing on legislation I introduced – H.J. Res. 29, a joint resolution of disapproval to strike down the Biden Administration’s recent listing of the lesser prairie-chicken (LPC) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). I refuse to sit idly by while the federal government imposes burdensome regulations on producers with no input from Congress. The designation of the lesser prairie-chicken as a threatened species in places like Kansas is unacceptable, and my resolution calls for an absolute refusal of this rule, which should have no force or effect until Congress is consulted. The House Small Business Committee is also holding a hearing where I will speak about President Biden’s proposed new capital gains taxes like the Farm Killer Tax and the importance of stepped-up basis. Family farms should not be forced to foot the bill for the Biden Administration’s spending addiction. Lastly, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a hearing on the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration. In all that I do, the concerns, struggles, and values of those in the Big First are always in the front of my mind. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve your interests in Congress. Meetings in the Office: The Rural Broadband Association Kansas Electric Cooperatives Hays, Liberal, Dodge City, Garden City, Lawrence Kansas Chambers Southwest Kansas Groundwater Management District No. 3 Shippers Coalition Fraternal Government Relations Coalition  Fort Hays State University & American Association of State Colleges and Universities In the Office Letter to EPA Administrator Regan to Increase American Biofuel Production Biofuels are an integral part of the all-of-the-above energy strategy that we must embrace in America to restore our energy independence. I joined my colleagues in sending a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Regan urging an increase in blending targets for biomass-based diesel. We need to encourage the production and use of these fuels and put blending targets in place that account for industry growth. The biomass-based diesel industry supports more than 75,000 jobs and contributes $23 billion to the American economy each year. Increasing the Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) for biomass-based diesel would support hardworking farmers, help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and bolster the economic vitality of rural communities. Click Here to Read the Letter. Expanding Telehealth Services for Rural Communities Telehealth services have been essential for Americans in rural communities looking to access the care that they need. People in the Big First often face long drive times just for the regular check-ups that their health care providers require before refilling prescriptions. The Telehealth Expansion Act would allow Americans with Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to access telehealth services without first having to meet their deductible. I support this legislation because it will help rural America thrive. Click Here to Read More About the Legislation. Fighting the Biden Administration's Overreach on Private Land When the federal government defines certain lands as “critical habitats” for endangered species, those endangered species should actually inhabit those lands. That’s common sense, and the Critical Habitat Rule from 2020 codified it. The Biden Administration, however, just rescinded that rule to control people’s land, prevent multiple uses, wage war on fossil fuels, and serve their green new deal agenda. Since this is a violation of the private property rights of American producers, I cosponsor a joint resolution of disapproval of the Biden Administration’s rescission of this rule. Big government overreach is violating the rights and crushing the livelihoods of American agricultural producers, and I am fighting against it at every opportunity.   Mann.House.Gov In the District 38 Town Halls Hosted So Far in 2023 Last week, I hosted six town halls in the Big First District. I have now hosted 38 town halls in 38 counties as part of my annual 60-county Mann Listening Tour. Thank you again for visiting with me. I’m looking forward to bringing your comments and concerns to the halls of Congress. As always, feel free to contact my office to share your comments and questions, and stay tuned on social media and future newsletters for information about future town halls. Touring AeroVironment It was great touring AeroVironment in Lawrence and visiting with staff in Lawrence. AeroVironment is a global leader in unmanned aircraft system development and production, equipping our military with first-class innovation to protect America.  As a member of both the House Transportation and Infrastructure and Small Business Committees, I’m grateful for this opportunity to learn about the work AeroVironment is doing to equip our military with state-of-the-art defensive technology. Touring Lawrence Regional Airport Established in 1929, Lawrence Regional Airport is one of the oldest, continuously operating airports at its original location in Kansas. LWC averages more than 100 daily flight operations of single and twin-engine planes, business jets, and helicopters. I enjoyed visiting the airport and touring the hangar used by Euro Tech - a helicopter and engine sales and leasing company. Thank you to owners Chad and Tina Decker, Airport Manager Scott Wagner, and their entire staff for hosting me. Meeting with Community HealthCare System Community HealthCare System in Onaga is a first-class, nonprofit health care system that provides high-quality care to the rural communities of northeast Kansas I met with CEO Todd Willert and his staff. We had a good discussion about issues facing rural health care like the workforce shortage and the vitality of programs like Medicare and 340-B for patients. Thank you, Todd and staff for giving me a tour of the facility, and for providing life-saving services to the community of Onaga and surrounding areas. Visiting Clay Center Locker Plant I had the opportunity to tour Clay Center Locker Plant with owner Brad Diekmann. Brad and his team strive to offer the best meat products to their customers. In addition to selling top-quality meats, the Locker Plant also offers beef, pork, and wild game processing. Small businesses in Kansas like the Locker Plant support local economies and feed our communities. As a member of both the House Agriculture and Small Business Committees, I’m grateful for this opportunity to see the great work that Brad and his team are doing. Visiting Walnut Street Coffee and Deli Last week I visited Walnut Street Coffee & Deli in Oskaloosa. Owned by Lyn and Laramie Yoder, this father and son-duo officially opened their restaurant in March. In addition to serving delicious food and coffee, they also share their faith through the family business. It’s an honor to represent Kansas small business owner Lyn and Laramie in Congress and on the House Small Business Committee. Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for B's Hometown Market My team attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for B's Hometown Market in La Crosse. Pat and Kelly Baalmann, owners of the new store, spent the past eight months remodeling the building and equipping it with new technology to best serve their community. The store was formerly Rush County Grocery, where Pat worked for three years in high school. Small businesses like local grocery stores are essential to the vitality of rural communities, and I'm excited to see this store be revitalized to serve Kansans in Rush County. Congratulations, Pat and Kelly, on the grand opening! Discussing Global Food Security with the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition It was an honor to participate in a panel with U.S. Global Leadership Coalition to discuss the important role that American agricultural producers play in fighting hunger both in the United States and around the world. The Big First is the third largest agricultural-producing congressional district in the country, ranking number one in wheat, sorghum, and beef production. American farmers use their resources to feed, fuel, and clothe the world, which is no small task. It takes grit, determination, and a strong partnership between the public and private sectors. Around the world today, hungry people facing starvation in emergency situations rely on American farmers, who have provided nutrition in the place of starvation, created careers of dignity in the place of aimlessness, and secured peace in the place of war. I am using my voice in Congress and on the House Agriculture Committee to advocate for Kansas farmers, ranchers, and producers so that they can do what they do best - feed, fuel, and clothe the world. Click Here to Watch the Discussion Panel.   Mann.House.Gov Mark Your Calendars: Food and Agriculture Listening Session To understand the perspectives of the Americans who feed, fuel, and clothe the world, Congress must get on the farm with them in the middle of it all. I'm excited to announce that I'm hosting a food and agriculture listening session in the Big First District on May 2, 2023, with special guest House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn 'GT' Thompson. I hope you can join us for this listening session on May 2. Click here to RSVP for the Listening Sessionwith Chairman Thompson.   Mann.House.Gov 2023 Congressional Art Competition We are accepting submissions for the 2023 Congressional Art Competition! Each spring, the U.S. House of Representatives hosts a nationwide high school arts competition. High school students who reside or attend school in the Big First District are eligible to submit up to two pieces of artwork to my office. The winning piece will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The deadline to submit artwork for this year's competition is this Friday, April 21, 2023, by 5:00PM CT. All pieces and the required application form must be delivered to either my Manhattan or Dodge City office. If you have any questions or need assistance getting the artwork to one of the offices, please contact my Manhattan office at (785) 370-7277. Click Here for More Information About the 2023 Congressional Art Competiton Follow Me on Social Media: CONSTITUENT SERVICES     Manhattan Office 317 Houston Street Suite A Manhattan, KS 66502 Phone: (785) 370-7277 Dodge City Office 100 Military Avenue Suite 203 Dodge City, KS 37801 Phone: (620) 682-7340 Washington, D.C. Office 344 Cannon HOB Washington, D.C. 20515  Phone: (202) 225-2715 If I can do anything to help you, please reach out to my office. Sincerely,   Rep. Mann | 344 Cannon House Office Bldg., Washington, DC 20515 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]