Message from Rep. Tracey Mann. Having Trouble Viewing? Click Here. Fellow Kansan, Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter! Last week was a productive week in Washington, D.C. as the House Agriculture Committee passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 out of committee after a 13-hour markup. This Farm Bill is the first step at a bipartisan, fiscally conservative piece of legislation that strengthens crop insurance, incentivizes agricultural trade, and implements rigorous oversight measures.  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,   Mann.House.Gov   The Week Ahead This week, the U.S. House of Representatives will recognize Memorial Day to honor the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. District work weeks give Members of Congress the opportunity to spend time in their districts and their communities. There are few things I enjoy more than spending time in Kansas and meeting with fellow Kansans. After three back-to-back weeks in Washington, D.C., I’m looking forward to seeing you in Kansas. Click below to follow me on social media. Memorial Day This Memorial Day, I hope you were able to pause and reflect on the courageous sacrifices of our fallen military servicemembers. America is the freest nation on earth because of the brave men and women who laid down their lives protecting those freedoms. Last week, I cosponsored a joint resolution to honor the men and women of the armed forces who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. May we never take them or their sacrifice for granted, and may we always remember that freedom isn’t free. God bless America. In the Office Advancing the Farm Bill out of the House Agriculture Committee Watch my remarks during the Farm Bill markup above. During my time in Congress, I've strongly advocated for conservative Kansas values and Kansas agriculture. The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 is a fiscally conservative Farm Bill that strengthens the American farm safety net and wisely invests taxpayer dollars. Since 2018, when the last Farm Bill was signed into law, American farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers, and consumers have navigated record-high inflation, labor shortages, and a disrupted supply chain. During our Farm Bill listening sessions, stakeholders and agricultural community members made it crystal clear—they need a Farm Bill to provide them certainty like never before. The Farm, Food, and National Security Act strengthens the farm safety net, protects crop insurance, invests in trade and research programs, and conducts rigorous oversight to ensure that food and farm policy is properly implemented. Most importantly, this legislation protects America’s continued ability to feed ourselves for generations to come and prioritizes food security as national security. I was proud to advance this Farm Bill that works for Kansans and Americans. I look forward to it advancing to the House Floor for a vote and urge all of my colleagues to support it. Click here to read more. Watch my remarks on the House Floor Championing Agricultural Community, Fiscally-Conservative Farm Bill: Reining in Big Government Overreach Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a new overtime rule that raises the salary threshold for certain employees to be considered exempt from overtime pay. This new standard results in a roughly 65 percent increase on employees eligible for overtime pay without any notice-and-comment period as required by law. This rule was last updated in 2019 and was a widely agreed-upon compromise, making the DOL’s actions premature and overreaching. Small business owners are already doing their best to make a living and provide good employment opportunities all while navigating record-high inflation and disruptions in the American supply chain. The last thing they need is more overreaching rules from the federal government that only squeeze their balance book tighter. I am committed to rolling back unnecessary, burdensome regulations that harm the American economy, workforce, and consumers.     Meetings in the Office Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt It was a pleasure meeting with Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt while she was in Washington, D.C. last week. Commissioner Schmidt and the Kansas Department of Insurance oversee the state’s insurance and securities markets to protect consumers and provide a robust environment for Kansans buying and selling insurance and financial products. We spoke about some of the challenges state regulators face when providing guidance over federal programs, and we discussed the work the Department is doing to ensure that Kansans are receiving the support and coverage they need. Thank you, Commissioner Schmidt, for your service to Kansans! Textron eAviation Textron eAviation, headquartered in Kansas, is working to develop sustainable aircraft for urban air mobility, general aviation, cargo, and special mission roles. Last week, I met with them to learn about what they are currently developing and how their production is benefiting Kansas and American aviation. As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I look forward to continuing working together with Textron eAviation. Thank you to President Kriya Shortt and Eric Hannis for taking the time to meet with me. Evergy I enjoyed meeting with Evergy’s Jason Klindt to discuss the current priorities and issues that their industry is facing. Evergy is the largest electric company in Kansas, so it is imperative that they can continue to deliver their services without any regulatory hindrance. I recently cosponsored a joint resolution of disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to overturn another burdensome regulation that was issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and I appreciate Evergy’s insights into how this would affect the country. Thank you, Evergy, for working tirelessly to power our communities! Cal-Maine Foods Cal-Maine Foods is the largest producer of fresh shell eggs in the United States and operates a processing facility in Kansas. During my meeting with Cal-Maine Foods President Sherman Miller and fellow Kansan Greg Nelson of Nelson Poultry Farms, we discussed the importance of passing a Farm Bill that supports animal disease research and prevention. When we adequately invest in agricultural and animal health research, we save American tax dollars and the risk of disrupting our food supply chain. I’m proud to have helped pass a comprehensive, fiscally-conservative Farm Bill out of the House Agriculture Committee that prioritizes the livelihoods of American agricultural producers and protects our nation’s food security.     2024 Congressional Art Competition Winners I’m excited to announce this year’s Big First District Congressional Art Competition winners! The 1st place winner is “The Last Post” by Evangeline from Grainfield. In 2nd place is “Towards the Horizon” by Adele from Lawrence, and in 3rd place is “Summer Reins” by Jocelyn from Grainfield. My office received art submissions from high school students from all across the district. Thank you to all who participated! The talent of students in the Big First in this competition always amazes me. “The Last Post” by Evangeline “Towards the Horizon” by Adele “Summer Reins” by Jocelyn The 1st place piece will be on display in the U.S. Capitol for one year. The 2nd place will be on display in my Manhattan office, and the 3rd place piece in my Dodge City office. Congratulations, Evangeline, Adele, and Jocelyn! 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! Click here to submit a tour request. 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. 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 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice