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

The House of Representatives is back in session this week. I serve on the House Agriculture, House Small Business, and House Transportation and Infrastructure committees, and we are busy fighting to end President Biden's burdensome regulations. On Wednesday, the House Agriculture Committee will hold a full committee hearing with U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Thomas Vilsack. I plan to ask Secretary Vilsack how USDA will support farmers and ranchers, protect America from animal diseases like foot-and-mouth disease imported into our country, and pursue new trade agreements. You can watch the hearing live tomorrow at 9:00AM CT on the House Agriculture Committee Youtube channel.

The House Small Business Committee will also hold a hearing on Wednesday to examine burdensome regulations on small businesses caused by the Biden Administration's overreaching Environmental Protection Agency regulations.

On Thursday, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Highways and Transit will hold a hearing to hear from leaders in the industry about the implementation of the "Buy America" provision, which requires that materials used to maintain or repair a public building be manufactured in the United States.

Follow along on my Facebook and Instagram to be the first to hear more about my committee work and votes this week.

Meetings in the Office

Kansas YMCA
Kansas Hospital Association
National Association of Community Health Centers

In the District

Mark Your Calendar: Town Halls Next Week

Next week, I'm hosting twelve town halls in twelve counties as part of my annual 60-county Mann Listening Tour. Town halls give me the chance to visit with Kansans face-to-face and hear what's on your mind. As Congress addresses critical issues like President Biden's ongoing border crisis, the climbing national debt, and supporting our American agricultural producers, I rely on your insights to give me my marching orders.

Please join me at one of the meetings listed below or keep an eye out for future town hall dates to see when I'll be in your community.

Click here to view the full schedule online.

Kansas City Chiefs are

Back-to-Back Super Bowl Champions

What an incredible game and season for the Kansas City Chiefs! With their 25-22 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, the Chiefs are bringing home the Vince Lombardi trophy for the third time in five years.

Congratulations to Coach Andy Reid and the entire team! Enjoy the victory parade in Kansas City tomorrow surrounded by the Red Kingdom. Details about the parade can be found here.

In the Office

House Education Committee Advances Rep. Mann's FAFSA Exemptions for Family Farms and Businesses

Family farms and small businesses exemplify the American dream. When young people from these families apply for higher education financial aid, the assets tied up in the family farm or small business should not count against them.

I'm pleased that my legislation, the Family Farm and Small Business Act passed in the House Education and Workforce Committee last week. It will ensure that the next generation is treated fairly and send a strong signal that I support agricultural and small business families. I look forward to its passage on the House Floor.

Click here to read more about the Family Farm and Small Business Act

ICYMI: Questioning FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker

Last week, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Aviation held a hearing to examine the current state of American aviation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). I asked FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker for federal transparency in rulemaking and to address other areas of concern for Kansans in the Big First.

Delays in rulemaking and insufficiencies are bottlenecking the aviation industry in Kansas and across the country. Americans need the FAA to move swiftly to enact innovative policies passed by Congress, and I urged Administrator Whitaker to take this position to keep the United States as the world leader in aviation.

Watch my full remarks and questions below.

Kansans in the Office

Haskell Indian Nations University

It was a pleasure meeting with Dr. Frank Arpan, President of Haskell Indian Nations University, members of the Board of Regents, and Haskell students during the American Indian Higher Education Consortium legislative summit last week. During our discussion, I learned about the new initiatives that Haskell is offering their students, as well ways that Congress can help to improve the school's facilities. Haskell is working tirelessly to meet the educational needs of Tribal students from across the United States, and to help students find successful careers in industries that are vital to Indian country. It’s an honor to represent Haskell in Congress.

Kansas Independent Colleges Association

Kansas Independent College Association (KICA) works to develop and enhance the competitive standing of its 20-member independent colleges and universities. I appreciate members of KICA for meeting with me to share what issues are currently burdening Kansas colleges and universities. I also visited with them about my legislation, the Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act, which passed out of the House Education and Workforce Committee last week. Thank you, KICA for your efforts to provide affordable post-secondary education options for Kansans.

Kansas Special Olympics

Last week, I met with Kansas Special Olympics athlete, David, from Salina, and other members of Kansas Special Olympics team. David shared how he has excelled because of the resources provided by the Kansas Special Olympics. Thank you for empowering David and so many other individuals with special needs to succeed.

Colby and Seward Community Colleges

Last week, I met with representatives from Colby Community College and Seward County Community College. We discussed current and future initiatives as the colleges work to recruit and train the next generation of leaders. I'm grateful to Colby Community College and Seward County Community College for providing educational opportunities for students to pursue careers in industries that are in high demand and crucial to our state's economy.

Kansas Dept. of Transportation Secretary

It was a pleasure hosting Kansas Secretary of Transportation, Calvin Reed during his visit to Washington, D.C. Secretary Reed and I discussed current projects that KDOT is implementing in the Big First District to improve transportation for Kansans. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I look forward to staying up to date on the work that Secretary Reed and KDOT are doing to better connect Kansans with each other and the rest of the country.

Children's Mercy Kansas City

Children’s Mercy Hospital is a leading independent children’s health organization. Last week, I met with Paul Kempinski, President and CEO of Children's Mercy Kansas City. We discussed the work that Children's Mercy is doing to improve mental health care and resources for children in Kansas and across the country. I appreciated President Kempinski meeting with me, and for Children's Mercy's lifesaving mission to help children battling illnesses.

Apply for a Summer 2024 Internship

Interns are a vital part of my Washington, D.C., and district offices. A congressional internship experience offers students a unique opportunity to see our government at work up close and to serve Kansans in the Big First District. Applications for Summer 2024 internships are now open.

If you are a college-aged student interested in serving in one of my offices, please click the link below to apply or contact my office at (202) 225-2715 with any questions. The deadline to submit all application materials is Sunday, March 3, 2024, at 11:59PM ET.