|
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,
| |
|
Happy National Police Week! In Congress, my colleagues and I are honoring the brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect all of us. Since President Biden took office, crime rates have skyrocketed. In the last three years, the number of officers shot in the line of duty is up 52%, and in major American cities, homicides are up 13%, rapes are up 23%, and aggravated assaults are up 33%. Meanwhile, federal arrests are down 35%. These numbers tell me that we must better support our law enforcement officers, allowing them the resources they need to do their job. I support law enforcement officers. This week, as a part of my Commitment to the Big First, I am honored to support commonsense reforms to issues affecting police, oppose any efforts to defund them, and memorialize law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
I will also chair my second House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry hearing and attend a House Small Business Committee hearing examining the Small Business Administration’s changes to the 7(a) Lending Program Part II.
In the office this week, I am proud to host National FFA officers, Beef Alliance, Independent Community Bankers of America, Growth Energy, U.S. Bank, Kansas Main Street, Washburn University, United Egg Producers and others. I’m also looking forward to visiting the grand opening of the Schwan’s Pizza Plant in Salina on Friday.
| |
Rep. Mann's Promoting Precision Agriculture Act Passes Unanimously in House Agriculture Committee | |
Precision agriculture is a critical tool for agricultural producers as they work tirelessly to feed, fuel, and clothe the world. I am proud to see this bill pass out of committee and grateful for my colleagues’ support on this important piece of legislation. Technological advancement has helped producers improve crop yields and make informed management decisions, but new technology brings new challenges. The Promoting Precision Agriculture Act will ensure that producers have a seat at the table when Congress establishes new precision agriculture standards. | |
Defending America's Southern Border | |
 | |
Since his first day in office, President Biden has actively worked to implement extreme open border policies that have resulted in the worst border crisis in American history and turned every American community into a border community. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, which will force the Biden Administration to resume construction of the border wall, increase the number of brave Border Patrol agents, protect unaccompanied children from human trafficking, and terminate catch-and-release.
I have been to the southern border, where I saw firsthand the crisis that President Biden’s open-door policies have created. I saw human heartbreak, scared children, overcrowded facilities, overwhelmed customs and border patrol agents, and evidence of crimes committed by Mexican cartels in trafficking people and drugs into the United States. The situation is getting worse and worse, and now my colleagues in the Senate and President Biden himself must act to bring about meaningful change to this crisis.
| |
Protecting Taxpayers from Unemployment Insurance Fraud | |
With our national debt at $31 trillion and the Biden Administration deficit-spending more than $1 trillion every year, it’s high time Congress takes a look at places where we can claw money back from fraud. Last week, my House Republican colleagues and I passed H.R. 1163, the Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act, which would incentivize state workforce agencies to prosecute those who have committed Unemployment Insurance (UI) fraud. States are the first line of defense against this type of fraud, and H.R. 1163 is a creative way to stop a small percentage of the massive government waste that the Biden Administration’s policies have created. | |
Holding the Department of Veterans Affairs Accountable, Demanding Retraction of False Statements | |
Last week, I joined my colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Veterans Affairs Department Secretary McDonough regarding his agency’s press release filled with false statements against the Limit, Save, Grow Act. The press release falsely claimed that the legislation would “cut a broad range of critical programs” for veterans. That is false, dangerous, and misleading. In reality, the Limit, Save, Grow Act would reduce discretionary spending, not mandatory spending, by more than $3 trillion. Veterans Affairs compensation, education benefits, and home loan programs are all recognized as mandatory spending — not discretionary spending. Not a single provision in this legislation even mentions veterans’ benefits, and House Republicans have been loud and clear – there will be no cuts to veterans’ health care. Last week's letter demands a retraction and a correction from the VA. America’s heroes are owed an apology for being the victims of a partisan scare tactic. | |
Equipping the Next Generation of American Pilots | |
Congress should do everything that it can to empower and encourage bright young people to enter the essential industries workforce to keep America thriving. The Pre-Pilot Pathway Act would direct the Secretary of Transportation to establish a pilot apprenticeship program for students at flight schools, which would ultimately establish a pipeline of qualified pilots. This is a commonsense solution to the pilot workforce shortage problem, and I am proud to support it. | |
Protecting Religious Freedom | |
Religious freedom is one of our nation’s founding principles and a cornerstone of our rights as Americans. However, on March 1, 2023, the Biden Administration rescinded a rule that provided maximum legal protections for religious organizations to fairly participate in federal contracts without having to violate their sincerely held beliefs when it comes to hiring. I cosponsor a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), which would overturn the Biden Administration’s actions and ensure that organizations that seek contracts with the federal government are not discriminated against based on their religious affiliation. | |
|
Keeping Drug Costs Down,
Increasing Transparency and Fairness
| |
Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) oversee prescription drug benefits for health insurance companies, Medicare Part D drug plans, large employers, and other entities. Through negotiations with drug manufacturers and pharmacies, PBMs are supposed to ensure lower drug prices. In a practice known as “spread pricing,” PBMs occasionally charge health plans more for prescription drugs than they actually pay the pharmacy, which sometimes doesn’t even cover the cost for the pharmacy to acquire the drugs they dispense. The Drug Price Transparency in Medicaid Act would end the practice of spread pricing by PBMs in Medicaid programs. The bill would also establish oversight of, and accountability for, PBM tactics that are threatening patient access to health care and increasing prescription drug spending in Medicaid programs. I am committed to keeping prescription drug costs down for Kansans and all Americans. | | Since 1992, the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program has allowed qualifying hospitals and clinics that treat low-income and uninsured patients to buy outpatient prescription drugs at a discount, which helps safety-net health care providers stretch their financial resources to reach more patients and deliver comprehensive services. Hospitals, clinics, and other health care providers know that the 340B program is an essential tool for treating some of their most vulnerable patients. H.R. 2534, the Protect 340B Act, would prohibit health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers from discriminating against 340B providers or their contract pharmacies. This legislation would prevent companies from treating 340B providers differently with regards to reimbursement of fees, participation in standard or preferred networks, or inventory management systems — and it would block them from interfering in a patient’s choice to receive drugs from a 340B pharmacy. | |
Hearing Stakeholder Perspectives on Agricultural Trade | |
|
Last week, the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture hosted a hearing on agricultural trade.
I have long said that my top three priorities for this Farm Bill are crop insurance, trade, and oversight. During the hearing, I asked the witnesses to share their thoughts on how the Market Access Program (MAP) and the Foreign Market Development Program (FMD) have successfully helped American agricultural producers, and on the importance of building cold chain capacity. I appreciate their perspectives on how the Farm Bill can best meet the needs of producers.
Listen to My Full Remarks and Questions Below.
| |
Meeting with Textron eAviation | |
Textron eAviation, headquartered in Kansas, is a business segment of Textron that is pursuing the company's long-term strategy to offer sustainable aircraft for urban air mobility, general aviation, cargo, and special mission roles. President and CEO of Textron eAviation Rob Scholl stopped by my office to share some of the new initiatives they are working on to enhance the future of air travel in Kansas and the world. Hearing from innovative Kansas leaders like Textron is valuable to my work on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and I appreciate President Scholl for taking the time to meet with me. | |
|
Meeting with National Association of
Professional Insurance Agents
| |
It was great meeting with members of the National Association of Professional Insurance Agents. We discussed important coverage issues like flood insurance, crop insurance, an data security. As Congress prepares to reauthorize the farm bill, I'm committed to strengthening and protecting crop insurance, which is one of our nation's most successful public-private partnerships that serve producers and consumers alike. If we make any changes to crop insurance, we should use a scalpel, not a sledgehammer. Thank you for stopping by and for the important work you do in helping Americans manage risk. | |
Meeting with General Aviation Manufacturers Association | |
General Aviation Manufacturers Association represents more than 140 of the world's leading manufacturers in general aviation airplanes, rotorcraft, and agriculture aircraft, and makes significant contributions to safety, technology, and economic growth. I enjoyed meeting with some of their members and discussing the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization, ways we can increase manufacturing jobs, and other issues that affect aviation manufacturers in Kansas and across the country. | |
Addressing Quinter High School Class of 2023 | |
It was an honor to speak at the graduation ceremony for Quinter High School, where I graduated in 1995. My family, friends, and I have been blessed to stay involved with this exceptional school community over the years. At the graduation, I was excited to see so many bright young people ready to embrace their futures, and their proud teachers cheering them on. I even got to stop by the Quinter FFA class, where I learned so many valuable lessons about agriculture, advocacy, and servant leadership. Congratulations to all the graduates and their families who have supported them along the way so far. Young people like the 2023 graduates from Quinter High give me hope for the future of Kansas, and America. | |
Dodge City Downtown Murals Ribbon Cutting | |
Congratulations to the community of Dodge City on the ribbon cutting of three new murals installed in the historic downtown district. Mural artist Efe Tekdemir, Assistant City Manager Melissa McCoy, and Mayor Michael Burns all gave remarks at the public ceremony. I'm looking forward to seeing the murals during my next visit to Dodge City. | |
Military Academy Nomination Applications Now Open | |
|
I'm excited to announce that applications for 2023 Military Academy Nominations through my office are now open. One of the greatest honors as the member of Congress for the Big First District is recommending bright, young Kansas leaders who want to serve their country and attend one of the U.S. Military Academies. If you, or a student you know, is interested in applying for a Congressional military nomination from my office, please visit my website for further information.
The deadline to submit all required application materials is September 30, 2023.
| |
Questions? Contact my Manhattan office at (785) 370-7277 | |
Happening Across the Country | |
|
May 17th marks the 69th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case of Brown v. Board of Education, ruling that the separate but equal segregation standard in public schools was unconstitutional. Reverend Oliver Brown filed a class-action suit against the Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, in 1951 after his daughter, Linda Brown, was denied entrance to Topeka's all-white elementary school. In 1952, Brown's case along with four other similar cases came before the U.S. Supreme Court. The unanimous verdict came in 1954 under Chief Justice Earl Warren, who was appointed to the position by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Kansas has a long history of paving the way for liberty and justice for all. Reverend Oliver Brown's courageous move is just one of those moments in history that ignited in Kansas and helped shape America into a greater nation of equality and freedom.
| |
|
Happy Infrastructure Week! As the representative for the Big First and a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I'm passionate about strengthening rural America's infrastructure, which is why I'm proud to support the Rebuilding Rural Roads Act.
The Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program, created under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, would ensure that America’s small and rural communities are given an advantage in federal infrastructure grants. The current definition of “rural area” to qualify for funding is 200,000 in population or less. As rural Kansans and Americans know, 200,000 in population does not feel very rural. The Rebuilding Rural Roads Act would lower the definition of “rural” to 20,000 in population, which is the size of communities like Hays, Liberal, and McPherson. That definition of "rural" is consistent with the same qualification for other programs through USDA Rural Development and the Small Business Administration. I’ll continue to advocate for small, rural communities in the Big First to ensure that they thrive.
| |
Yom Yerushalayim marks the anniversary of the liberation and unification of Jerusalem under Jewish sovereignty for the first time in thousands of years, which occurred during the Six Day War in 1967. Wishing a Happy Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, to Israel and our Jewish friends. | |
Follow Me on Social Media: | |
|
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,
| | | | |
