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,
| |
This week, House Republicans are standing up for Americans and against President Biden's ant-American energy agenda. The Hands off Our Home Appliances Act eliminates unnecessary and duplicative U.S. Department of Energy rulemaking requirements and prohibits the Secretary of Energy from banning products based on the product's fuel type. President Biden's war on fossil fuels and American energy hurts American energy producers and drives up consumer costs. We need an all-of-the-above energy approach that prioritizes American energy independence and doesn't allow Washington, D.C. to pick the winners and losers.
Meetings in the Office
- Eisenhower Excellence in Public Service Class of 2024
- Kansas Association of Realtors
- Beef Alliance
- Textron
- Beck's Hybrid
- National Beef
- Great Plains Manufacturing
- American Land Title Association
- Kansas State University Olathe
- National Electrical Contractors Association
- Association of American Railroads
- Walmart
- CoBank
- American Golf Industry Coalition
| |
Visiting Westmoreland Tornado Damage | |
Last Friday, I visited Westmoreland to see the damage of the recent tornadic weather. I spoke with local community leaders and saw the damage firsthand. Amid adversity, the people of Westmoreland are rallying behind their neighbors affected by the damage. My staff and I will continue to communicate with local leaders and help as they rebuild. My prayers are with those whose homes, farms, and loved ones were harmed by the tornadoes over the past week. | |
If you have been affected by the recent tornadoes or other natural disasters, please get in touch with my office. We are here to assist you and can offer information on resources that may be available to you. | |
Contact my office:
Manhattan: (785) 370-7277
Dodge City: (620) 682-7340
Washington, D.C.: (202) 225-2715
| |
Combatting Antisemitism,
Ill-Informed Mobs on College Campuses
| |
Congress must be clear—America stands with Israel, and we stand with Jewish students across every college campus in America. These are not pro-Palestinian protests, they are ill-informed mobs who believe that Hamas, a terrorist organization, is good for the people of Gaza.
Adopting a clear definition of antisemitism better equips agencies, courts, and law enforcement officials to better protect Jewish students from the hatred they have experienced on college campuses in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks.
Watch my remarks on the House Floor below.
| |
Denouncing President Biden's Failed
Open-Door Border Policies
| |
Since President Biden and his administration took office, there have been:
- More than 7.6 million illegal immigrant encounters at the southern border.
- 1.8 million got-aways who evaded U.S. Border Patrol.
- 40% catch-and-release migrant disappearances into the U.S.
President Biden’s failed policies have also resulted in record levels of fentanyl, human trafficking, and drugs flowing in the country. Last week, I voted to denounce President Biden’s failed open-door policies. It’s beyond time for President Biden to work with House Republicans and fix this crisis he created.
Watch my remarks on the House Floor below.
| |
Urging USDA to Restore NASS Surveys | |
Droughts, wildfires, sky-high inflation, market fluctuation, and input costs have all driven producers’ risk to an all-time high. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) decision to cancel the July Cattle Report and discontinue the Cotton Yield Objective Survey and all County Estimates for Crops and Livestock only exacerbates that risk. I led more than 71 of my colleagues in sending a letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack urging him to reverse the Department's decision to cancel and discontinue several National Agricultural Statistics Services reports.
Farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers in the Big First and across the country are doing their best as they bear the weight of feeding, clothing, and fueling the world. Secretary Vilsack should immediately reverse this decision and give our producers at least some of the certainty they desperately need and deserve.
| |
Reducing Intoxicated Driving | |
On average, 37 people in America die every day in drunk-driving-related car crashes. I introduced the End Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Act of 2024, which can reduce this statistic by requiring offenders who drive while intoxicated to use an ignition interlock device for at least six months after their first offense. Studies have shown this preventative practice reduces recidivism by as much as 70% among first-time, repeat, and high-risk offenders, in turn reducing their risk of taking the lives of innocent Kansans and Americans by driving while intoxicated.
Every life has value and is worthy of protection from harm. I will always fight to protect American lives.
| |
CLAY CENTER AND CLAY COUNTY DISPATCH: | |
Yoder Meats
I spent part of National Small Business Week with Chad Bontrager, owner of Yoder Meats, at the House Small Business Committee’s small business showcase here in the U.S. Capitol. Yoder Meats, based in Yoder, Kansas, specializes in the procurement and production of local, high quality protein products like smoked meats and cheese. They also have locations in Lawrence and Wichita. Small businesses like Yoder Meats – whose roots trace back to 1947 – are the backbone of our economy in the Big First. They deserve our appreciation, especially in the face of wide workforce issues, rising costs, and burdensome government overreach. I will continue to fight for our small businesses and the pro-growth policies that help them thrive.
| |
Salina Regional Health Center
Salina Regional Health Center provides integrated health services for those living in the north-central Kansas region. During our meeting, we discussed top items that are hindering patient care, like prior authorization and Medicare reimbursement rates. We need strong health care providers in the Big First, and Salina Regional Health is working tirelessly to ensure that Kansans have access to and are receiving high quality care. Thank you, Joel Phelps, Dr. Rob Freelove, and Ashley Hutchinson, for meeting with me.
| |
North American Millers' Association
North American Millers' Association (NAMA) understands the importance of feeding the world. During our meeting, we discussed my legislation, the American Farmers Feed the World Act, which would ensure that U.S.-grown and milled commodities remain the cornerstone of international food aid. NAMA is helping lead the charge of feeding the world with American commodities, and I’m proud to work alongside them to keep this time-honored legacy alive and thriving.
| |
Independent Community Bankers' Association
Small community banks are part of the fabric of rural America. As the representative for 5,000 small and mid-sized financial community banks, the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) plays an integral role in reinvesting local dollars back into our communities, helping small businesses on Main Street grow, and families in the Big First flourish. I appreciated the opportunity to meet with members of ICBA.
| |
Rural Broadband Association
Having access to high quality telecommunications services is essential to rural communities in the Big First. The Rural Broadband Association’s mission is to strengthen independent, family-owned, and community-based telecommunications companies across the country. I appreciated them meeting with me to share how they are expanding internet access to farms, small businesses, and homes in our country.
| |
Plains Cotton Cooperative Association
Plains Cotton Cooperative Association (PCCA) is a marketing cooperative owned by farmers in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico that works to supply high-quality cotton. I met with PCCA President and CEO Kevin Brinkly and PCCA Board Chairman Dahlen Hancock during their visit to Washington, D.C. We discussed the importance of policies that support American agricultural producers like crop insurance and the Market Access Program. As Congress prepares to reauthorize a five-year farm bill, I value meeting with agricultural leaders like PCCA. Thank you, Kevin and Dahlen, for your advocacy and leadership on behalf of American cotton producers.
| |
Kansas Rural Letter Carriers'
Association
Mail carriers play an important role in connecting individuals, families, and businesses to each other. The Kansas Rural Letter Carriers' is the Kansas affiliate of the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association, which represents around 133,000 members in rural and suburban areas. I appreciated Adam Peterson and Mike Philis, President and Vice President of the Kansas Rural Letter Carriers' Association, for meeting with me.
| |
Military Appreciation Month | |
During National Military Appreciation Month, we honor the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our country. We are grateful for their service and sacrifice to protect our freedoms. It is a privilege to serve our nation’s heroes across the Big First in the halls of Congress. God bless our military service members. | |
Visiting Washington, D.C.? Contact My Office | |
One of my favorite parts of representing the Big First District in Congress is hosting Kansans when they visit our nation’s capital. If you are planning a visit to Washington, D.C., please contact my office. My staff and I can help schedule tours of the White House, the U.S. Capitol, and answer any questions that you may have.
For more information or to schedule a tour, please visit my website and submit a tour request form, or call my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-2715. We look forward to seeing you!
| |
Please note: White House tour requests must be requested at least three weeks in advance. Space is limited and a tour request does not guarantee a spot. | |
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,
| | | | |