Message from Rep. Tracey Mann. Having Trouble Viewing? Click Here.

Fellow Kansan,

Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter! I’m pleased 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 consider several appropriation bills and a continuing resolution to extend government funding into 2024. As we examine how to wisely steward taxpayer dollars, I remain committed to reducing and reprioritizing government spending, securing the southern border, and ending the weaponization of the federal government once and for all.

The House will also consider H.R. 5961, the No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act, which would re-freeze the $6 billion released to Iran as part of the 2023 hostage deal and ensure that the funds would remain permanently off limits to the Iranian regime and its funding of Hamas.

Last night, the House of Representatives had the chance to vote on the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. I voted to impeach Secretary Mayorkas, but the motion was instead referred to the House Homeland Security Committee, which means the Committee will decide next steps. That move only delays holding Secretary Mayorkas accountable for violating his oath of office.

The evidence is clear. He halted construction of the border wall and reassigned border patrol agents from patrolling the border to processing illegal immigrants. That has left huge areas of the border unattended, which criminals, smugglers, and drug dealers have exploited. 3.8 million individuals have illegally entered the United States under his watch. We must act now.

Also happening this week, the House Small Business Committee will hold a hearing on rural entrepreneurship, and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will consider legislation pertaining to federal buildings with a focus on oversight, efficiency, and returning to in-person work.

Meetings in the Office:

National Guard
National Cotton Council
Farm Credit

In the Office

Protecting Firearms Exporters from Government Overreach

The Second Amendment is a load-bearing wall in our system of rights. If you weaken a load-bearing wall, the entire structure is compromised. Since President Biden took office, his administration has been attempting to dismantle the Second Amendment. First, President Biden stripped funding from hunting and archery programs in our schools. Now, he is attempting to prohibit law-abiding businesses from selling their firearms overseas. I sent a letter to Commerce Secretary Raimondo and Under Secretary Estevez regarding the Bureau of Industry and Security’s (BIS) recent pause on issuing firearms export licenses.

This pause on firearms export licenses will hurt our economy, leave Americans vulnerable, and push buyers to look elsewhere to meet their customers’ demands. I am insisting that BIS end this absurd policy and continue the issuance of export licenses for firearms, related components, and ammunition.

Click here to read the full text of the letter.

Holding the Environmental Protection Agency Accountable

Since the Biden Administration published its Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule in January 2023, I have been fighting back to protect agricultural producers, entrepreneurs, and landowners. In May 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court stepped in and issued a unanimous ruling to limit the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act. Now, the Biden Administration should reverse course on the misguided rule. Instead, the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are tweaking the WOTUS rule while failing to put any formal implementation guidance in place for USACE field staff.

I sent a letter to EPA Administrator Regan and Assistant Secretary Connor of the Army for Civil Works demanding that their agencies do more to create clarity for landowners. Agricultural producers and business owners have faced months of delays on their projects, and the Biden Administration owes them a prompt and clear correction of its unconstitutional WOTUS rule.

Click here to read the letter.

U.S. House of Representatives Stands with Israel

It has been one month since Hamas terrorists infiltrated Israel. As of today, more than 200 civilians of 25 different nationalities are still being held captive - including children.

Last week, my colleagues and I held a bipartisan candlelight vigil on the steps of the U.S. House of Representatives to bring attention to the number of hostages being held by Hamas.

Bring them home now. America stands with Israel.

Kansas Soybean Association

Last week, I met with Bob Haselwood and Dennis Gruenbacher with the Kansas Soybean Association. We discussed the importance of an “all of the above” energy approach that includes biofuels, the need for robust safety nets for agricultural producers, and more. I’m proud to represent them on the House Agriculture Committee and in Congress.

National Rural Health Day

Thursday, November 16 is National Rural Health Day! This day serves as an opportunity to honor and recognize our nation’s rural health care providers and communities. As the Representative for Kansas' Big First District, I recognize the unique health care challenges and needs of rural America. That’s why I am committed to advancing legislation that responsibly breaks down barriers to care, increases access, and boosts our health care workforce.

Thank you, rural health care providers, for working tirelessly to keep our rural communities healthy!

Spring 2024 Internship Applications Open

Applications to intern in my office during the spring of 2024 are open. Interns are a vital part of a congressional office and a unique opportunity for students to learn firsthand about our federal government. If you, or a student you know, are interested in interning in my Washington, D.C., Manhattan, or Dodge City offices, please visit my website for more information or contact my D.C. office at (202) 225-2715.

The deadline to submit all required application materials is this Friday, November 17, 2023, at 5:00PM ET.

Click here to learn more and to apply.