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,
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The House is back in session for a busy week of votes and committee work.
I have championed legislation to eliminate the U.S. Fish and Wildlife's rule to add the lesser prairie-chicken as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act, which will likely be on the House Floor for a vote this week. The resolution passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee in April, and it passed in the U.S. Senate in May. The designation of the lesser prairie-chicken as a threatened species in places like Kansas is unacceptable, and this rule should have no force or effect until Congress is consulted. I have been working hard on this issue since being elected to Congress. Now, it’s time for my colleagues in the House to decide whether they want to stand for big government overregulation that will put producers out of business or stand up for producers’ rights to private property and self-determination.
Other legislation up for consideration this week includes:
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H.R. 3203, Stop Chinese Fentanyl
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H.R. 1176, Taiwan International Solidarity Act
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H.R. 3395, U.S. Supply Chain Security Review Act of 2023
- and more.
Committee Work This Week
The House Small Business Committee will hold a hearing on rural entrepreneurship, featuring Kansas' own Matt Splitter who will share his testimony as a rural small business owner. The House Agriculture and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committees will also mark up several pieces of legislation.
Meetings in the Office:
- Matt Splitter, Splitter Farms
- Kansas FFA
- Kansas Wheat Association
- The University of Kansas
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Next Week: Mann Listening Tour | |
My number one priority is to spend time with Kansans in the Big First District. Next week, I'm kicking off the month with the final round of town halls as part of my annual 60-county Mann Listening Tour. I am hosting 16 meetings in 16 counties. I'm looking forward to listening to what is on your mind and answering any questions you may have. | |
Reno County
When: 8:00AM CT
Where: Haven Community Center | Haven, KS
McPherson County
When: 10:00AM CT
Where: MKC Training Center | Moundridge, KS
Saline County
When: 11:30AM CT
Where: Salina Chamber of Commerce (Salina Annex Bldg) | Salina, KS
Ottawa County
When: 2:00PM CT
Where: The FARM & The Oddfellows | Minneapolis, KS
Cloud County
When: 3:15PM CT
Where: Common Grounds Coffeehouse | Concordia, KS
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Wednesday, August 2, 2023 |
Lincoln County
When: 7:30AM CT
Where: Lincoln Carnegie Library | Lincoln, KS
Russell County
When: 9:15AM CT
Where: Espresso Etc | Russell, KS
Ellis County
When: 10:45AM CT
Where: Hays Public Library |
Hays, KS
Rooks County
When: 1:00PM CT
Where: Rooks Co. Fairgrounds (4H Building) | Stockton, KS
Graham County
When: 2:30PM CT
Where: Graham Co. Auto & Arts Museum | Hill City, KS
Norton County
When: 4:30PM CT
Where: Heaton Building (Gloria Nelson Art Gallery) | Norton, KS
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Phillips County
When: 7:30AM CT
Where: Huck Boyd Community Center |
Phillipsburg, KS
Smith County
When: 9:15AM CT
Where: Srader Center (Basement: "The Hall") | Smith Center, KS
Osborne County
When: 10:45AM CT
Where: Downs Senior Center | Downs, KS
Mitchell County
When: 12:30PM CT
Where: Port Library | Beloit, KS
Jewell County
When: 2:00PM CT
Where: Mankato Livestock Inc. |
Mankato, KS
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Strengthening American Aviation | |
Kansas has a rich history in aviation that predates WWII. Our state has a significant number of general aviation airports, which support our communities through business, recreation, cargo, and trade operations. We also have seven commercial airports and five essential air service airports, adding to our state's significant footprint in the aerospace industry.
I am proud to have brought Kansans' concerns to the table with my seat on the Aviation Subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and to have voted for this historic piece of legislation that ensures that Kansas and America remain the global leaders in aviation.
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Standing for American Small Businesses,
Holding the Biden Administration Accountable
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It's simple: when government grows, liberty shrinks. Last week, the House Small Business Committee held a markup to review legislation that holds the Biden Administration accountable for COVID-19 loan fraud and cuts burdensome regulations forced on small business owners.
The Biden Administration continues to impose overreaching regulations on American small business owners. On top of that, much of the relief developed for small business owners ended up in the hands of fraudsters due to President Biden’s lack of oversight. Instead of recovering the more than $200 billion of wasted taxpayer money, President Biden continues to crush small businesses with red tape.
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Protecting Rural Hospitals | |
Rural communities in Kansas and across the country are facing significant health care challenges. We need programs like the Rural Hospital Technical Assistance Program Act, which help prevent closures and strengthen essential health care services in rural areas. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing legislation to make this pilot program permanent and ensure that rural Americans continue to have access to health care. | |
National Sorghum Association
I am proud of the Big First District’s legacy as the top sorghum-producing district in the country. I enjoyed meeting with National Sorghum Producers to discuss robust crop insurance, trade and trade promotion, and sorghum’s role in feeding a growing world. I look forward to our continued work together and am committed to bringing their voices to the halls of Congress.
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Kansas Agribusiness Retailers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association
Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association and Kansas Grain and Feed Association advocate tirelessly for Kansas agricultural producers and small business owners. Their members span the entire state of Kansas and bring a wide breadth of expertise to the table. It was a pleasure meeting with them and learning more about the issues affecting their members and how Congress can respond.
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North American Millers' Association
North American Millers' Association understands the importance of feeding the world and purchasing American commodities to do so.
I appreciated them taking the time to meet with me and for their advocacy on behalf of American wheat, corn, oats, and rye millers.
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July 27 is National Intern Day. My office has been fortunate to have an incredible group of hardworking, servant-minded students in our Manhattan and Washington, D.C. offices this summer. They show up every day ready to serve Kansans in the Big First District. Interns are a vital part of our offices, and I'm grateful for the work they do to support our staff team and Kansans. | |
Celebrating Amelia Earhart's Birthday | |
American trailblazer and native Kansan, Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897. She was the first female aviator to fly solo across the ocean, and she set many other records that paved the way for aviators and adventurers who followed in her footsteps. Her determination and adventurous spirit reflect the best of Kansas. Although she disappeared while attempting to be the first person to circumnavigate the earth around the equator, her pioneering spirit still lives on in Kansans. Happy birthday, Amelia. | |
Manhattan Office
317 Houston Street
Suite A
Manhattan, KS 66502
Phone: (785) 370-7277
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Dodge City Office
100 Military Avenue
Suite 203
Dodge City, KS 37801
Phone: (620) 682-7340
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Washington, D.C. Office
344 Cannon HOB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2715
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If I can do anything to help you, please reach out to my office.
Sincerely,
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