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, President Biden released his Fiscal Year 2025 budget proposal. Unfortunately, it is more of the same wasteful government spending to fund a partisan wishlist that American taxpayers will have to pay for. We can't afford it. We are $34 trillion in debt, and President Biden is mortgaging the future of our children and grandchildren. If history repeats itself, the Biden Administration will attempt to pay for its progressive wish list with trillions of dollars in new tax hikes on Americans, threaten the stepped-up basis, and imposed ‘marked-to-market’ capital gains taxes on property like farmland that has been held in families for 90 years or more, also known as the "Farm Killer Tax". Congress must make it clear to President Biden that America will not stand for the destruction of the livelihoods of those who feed, fuel, and clothe the world – especially in the name of reckless spending. Meetings in the Office Kansas Soybean Association Kansas Principals Association Viega LLC - Plumbing Manufacturers International National Pest Management Association     In the Office President Biden's State of the Union On Thursday night, President Biden touted a long list of partisan priorities that will cost American taxpayers more money and make our nation less safe. He tried to convince us that our grocery bills aren't higher, that crime is decreasing in our streets, and that illegal immigration is no threat. I had hoped that he would speak to the real issues before us and detail how he plans to work with House Republicans to get America back on track. Under President Biden, the southern border is not secure, and more than 8.5 million illegal immigrants have entered into our country. While the southern border is at the top of everyone's mind, President Biden waited until an hour into last night's speech to even mention it, and he detailed no plan to fix the problem that he created. Under President Biden, our federal debt is at $34 trillion, and inflation is at an all-time high. While the White House says inflation is cooling, those of us in middle America still feel the weight of Washington’s spending problem. Diesel is well over $3.60/gallon in Kansas, Americans’ paychecks are grossly overtaxed, and Washington Democrats pretend that the President has a no-limit credit card. Again, President Biden detailed no plan to fix the problem that he created.  Under President Biden, our federal government is being weaponized against us. The U.S. Department of Justice does not apply justice equally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is ignoring the U.S. Supreme Court, and Americans are concerned about the infringement of basic rights like the right to life and the Second Amendment. Again, President Biden had no plan to fix the problem that he created. Instead of discussing how he plans to make life better for Americans, President Biden used his time to spend money and buy votes. Americans deserve better. We deserve a Commander in Chief who works to keep America strong. Click here to view my full statement online. Watch my full remarks on the House Floor below. Opposing Bloated Spending Package America is $34 trillion in debt, and every corner of America is feeling the burden of out-of-control spending. Last week, I voted against a spending package that ignores federal spending caps that were signed into law less than a year ago and continues the recklessness that got us here in the first place. We must reduce and reprioritize federal spending through the normal budgetary process and pass 12 fiscally responsible appropriation bills. I have fought to do that and will keep working to get America back on track. Click here to read my full statement. Questioning Commodity Futures Trading Commision Chairman Behnam When the world shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, America's agricultural producers never stopped working. They were in the field every day, working around the clock to ensure that we still had food on our tables. Now, four years later, federal agencies, including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), are still operating under outdated pandemic protocol. During last week's House Agriculture Committee hearing, I asked CFTC Chairman Rostin Behnam how I should respond to Kansas farmers and ranchers when they ask why employees at some federal agencies are still not showing up to in-person work. I also asked Chairman Behnam to share how CFTC is actively working to develop risk-management resources for agricultural producers. Listen to the full conversation below.     Kansans in the Office Disabled American Veterans Our nation's heroes deserve the highest quality of care when they return home. Disabled American Veterans (DAV) of Kansas offers a variety of services to Kansas veterans. From help with filing claims at the VA to providing transportation to medical appointments, DAV is making a positive impact on Kansas veterans. It was a pleasure meeting with DAV of Kansas last week. Kansas Association of Broadcasters As someone who spends a lot of time on the road, I rely on local radio stations for around-the-clock news, emergency alerts, and entertainment. I met with the Kansas Association of Broadcasters to discuss the issues impacting the broadcasting industry including new taxes and fees that could jeopardize this vital service to rural America. Thank you to all broadcasters who keep us informed and safe across the Big First. Kansas Credit Union Kansas Credit Union is dedicated to strengthening the financial lives of families and small businesses in the Big First and across our state. I appreciate Kansas Credit Union for meeting with me last week to discuss policy that could impact borrowers and business owners across the district. Shippers Coalition We need strong shippers to transport food and goods across the country. Last week, I enjoyed meeting with members of the Shippers Coalition, which represents more than 80 American companies and trade associations. As a member of the House Agriculture and Transportation and Infrastructure committees, I'm committed to cutting red-tape regulations on our shippers and empowering them to do their jobs.     2024 Congressional Art Competition 2023 Congressional Art Competition winner from the Big First District. "Home" by Katherine Price, Lawrence High School, Lawrence, KS My office is now accepting submissions for this year's Congressional Art Competition. Each spring, the U.S. House of Representatives hosts a nationwide high school arts competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the nation and the Big First District. This year, my office's theme is - Kansas, There's No Place Like Home. The contest is open to all high school students in the Big First District. The winning artwork for our district will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. Students may submit one piece of art. All artwork must be delivered to my Manhattan or Dodge City office, or received by one of my staff members by April 17, 2024. Details on how to enter and artwork guidelines can be found on my website. Please contact my office at (785) 370-7277 with any questions about the contest. Click here for more information about the 2024 Congressional Art Competition. 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]