Fellow Kansan,
Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter! This is a weekly update on my work on behalf of Kansans in the Big First District.
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. That's what I am doing while believing our brightest days are yet to come.
Yours in service,
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The House is back in session this week, and the House Agriculture Committee will markup the Farm Bill. The current Farm Bill was signed into law in 2018 and expires in September 2024, which is why we need to pass a comprehensive, five-year Farm Bill very soon. American agricultural producers and consumers rely on a robust Farm Bill because it provides food security to our country, and in turn, protects our national security.
I am working hard to deliver a fiscally-conservative Farm Bill that keeps us from relying on other countries to feed us, and to bring the voices of the farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers in the Big First to the House Agriculture Committee and in Congress.
Click below to follow me on social media.
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Meetings in the Office
- Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt
- Textron eAviation
- Evergy
- Follett Higher Education
- Cal-Maine Foods
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Advocating for Kansas Aviation Industry | |
Over the past year, I've advocated for an FAA Reauthorization that is cost-effective and invests in programs that are crucial to the aviation industry in Kansas and across the country. Most importantly, I've advocated for us to reauthorize an aviation bill that prioritizes the safety of the industry.
After agriculture, aviation has the second largest impact on Kansas' economy. For the aviation industry to thrive, we need an FAA that adopts long-overdue policy changes and regulatory requirements. America has been and should continue to be the Gold Standard of aviation. I'm proud to have helped pass the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act, and I will continue to advocate on behalf of rural airports and Kansas aviation.
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Watch my full remarks about the
FAA Reauthorization Act below:
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Condemning President Biden's Failed Border Policies | |
Since House Republicans passed H.R. 2, there have been more than 2.1 million encounters with illegal immigrants trying to enter the country at the southern border. Nearly 120 of those individuals’ names appear on the terrorist watchlist, and almost 33,000 of them had some sort of criminal background. U.S. Customs and Border Protection have also seized enough fentanyl to kill 3.8 billion people—the populations of the world’s seven largest countries combined. This is the reality of President Biden's failed open border policies.
The President’s failure to secure the border has put the safety and well-being of Kansans in the Big First at risk. Sadly, some Washington Democrats are more loyal to progressive activists than to keeping Americans safe.
Watch my full remarks on the House Floor below.
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Defending America's Ally, Israel | |
America would never tolerate barbaric terrorism from any neighboring country. Israel should not be forced to tolerate it either. The Biden Administration seems to be more dedicated to spewing a nuanced foreign policy that pleases progressive activists than standing with our strongest ally in the Middle East. We cannot afford to play political games with Israel’s security, especially while innocent Israelis are still being held hostage by Hamas.
Last week, I voted yes on the Israel Security Assistance Support Act. This legislation would prevent the Biden Administration and any future administration from withholding, halting, reversing, or canceling weapon transfers to Israel that already have Congressional approval.
The United States stands with Israel.
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Honoring Our Law Enforcement Officers | |
Americans deserve to live in an environment that is safe and secure. It is not lost on me that our law enforcement plays the most significant role in securing and defending that safety. We must reject nonsense calls to ‘Defund the Police’ and support the brave men and women who serve on the front line by collecting accurate data to address the rise in anti-police attacks, empower law enforcement to detain any illegal immigrant charged with or convicted of assaulting a law enforcement officer, and ensuring our officers have access to a variety of mental health services as they bear the weight of protecting their neighbors.
Last week, I voted yes on several pieces of legislation that gives the law enforcement community the support they deserve.
I will always back the brave men and women in blue and honor them for their service to our communities.
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Watch my remarks on the House Floor honoring our
Law Enforcement Officers below.
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Overturning Pres. Biden's Decision to Shut Down Reliable American Energy Production |
Last month, the Biden Administration announced a new U.S. Environmental Protection Administration decision to shut down reliable power plants across the United States. This new rule is another politically charged agenda against coal and natural gas energy producers. It will be disastrous for our country's energy independence and crush American energy producers.
I remain committed to fighting President Biden's war on American energy, which is why I cosponsor a Congressional Review Act resolution to overturn the Biden Administration's Clean Power Plan 2.0.
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2023-2024 National FFA Officers |
Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting with the 2023-2024 National FFA officers while they were in Washington, D.C. We discussed their year of service, the impact they are making as the next generation of agricultural leaders, and strengthening the relationship between Congress and agricultural education. I was also honored to receive the Honorary American FFA degree from them.
Now more than ever, we need young people with the creativity and skills necessary to meet the challenges of delivering food, fiber, and fuel to the world. American agriculture and Congress needs perspective from the next generation of leaders like the ones National FFA is building up. These young leaders and innovative thinkers deserve seat at the table when Congress crafts policy like the Farm Bill. As an alumnus of the Quinter FFA Chapter and the co-founder of the Congressional FFA Caucus, it is a pleasure for me to help bring their voices into these conversations.
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Merck Animal Health
I appreciated meeting with Merck Animal Health President Richard DeLuca Jr., Associate Vice President Laurie Huenke, and Executive Director of North America Public Policy Berend Koops to discuss the importance of animal health research and development. Investing in animal health and disease traceability helps stop outbreaks before they happen, saves our food supply from risks of disruption, and ultimately protects our national security. As the Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry, I value hearing from leaders like Merck Animal Health who understand that investing in animal health is an asset for agricultural producers and our country. Thanks for stopping by.
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U.S. Bank
Last week, I met with Tim Petty, Commercial Banking Team Leader of U.S. Bank for Kansas and Oklahoma. U.S. Bank supports local economies and communities primarily in the Midwest and Western United States. Vice President Petty and I discussed how Congress and the House Small Business Committee can best support financial institutions that are helping rural Americans obtain housing, start businesses, and provide for their families. I appreciate Vice President Petty and the U.S. Bank Kansas for their investments in the livelihoods of Kansans in the Big First.
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National Cotton Council
The National Cotton Council (NCC) represents cotton producers, ginners, warehousers, merchants, cottonseed processors/dealers, cooperatives, and textile manufacturers. Kansas is ranked 14th nationwide in cotton production and planted 165,000 acres of cotton in 2022 alone. I enjoyed meeting with members of NCC to discuss issues currently facing cotton producers in Kansas and across the country, as well as the importance of protecting trade policies like the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development cooperator program. Trade promotion is an essential function for American agricultural producers, and as the House Agriculture Committee prepares to review the next Farm Bill, I rely on hearing from agricultural leaders like NCC who know how these programs impact producers. Thank you, NCC, for meeting with me.
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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!
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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
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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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