Message from Rep. Tracey Mann. Having Trouble Viewing? Click Here. Fellow Kansan, Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter! This week, I am spending time with Kansans in Pratt, Gray, Seward, and Meade counties. Follow me on social media to see more of my work across the Big First this week. 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, Click below to follow me on social media. Mann.House.Gov This Week in the District Prairie Foods Hy-Plains Feeder SAFFiRE Renewables Groundbreaking Air Products Liberal Production Plant High Plains Ponderosa Dairy and Shell Digester In the Office Fighting to Pass a Farm Bill Now Congress needs to pass a Farm Bill now. The Big First is the third largest agriculture producing district in America, and our farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers have been clear—they need a Farm Bill, and they need it now. The Farm Bill expires in less than 40 days, and, because Washington Democrats are playing games, Congress has yet to authorize a new one. Food security is national security, and American farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers, and consumers cannot afford for Congress to take the Farm Bill hostage to the political limbo of Washington, D.C. Read my full Op-ed in the Washington Reporter here Supporting Kansas Oil and Gas Last week, I spoke on the congressional panel at the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association (KIOGA)'s Annual Convention and Expo. The last four years of the Biden-Harris Administration’s energy policies have been disastrous for American energy independence and have caused prices to skyrocket. The Administration's anti-fossil fuel agenda has weakened America's energy self-reliance, our national security, and damaged the livelihoods of American energy producers. It's time that we use the energy supply in our own backyard and put America’s best interests first. Thank you, KIOGA, for all you do to promote America's energy independence and for inviting me to participate in your convention. Instilling More Kansas Values in Washington, D.C. As I concluded my fourth annual Mann Listening Tour last week, I couldn’t help but think about how Washington, D.C. would be a lot more productive if it embraced Senator Bob Dole's "Kansas Approach" of honesty, hard work, respect for your roots, common sense, service, simplicity, and genuine, thoughtful care for people. Over the past eight months, I have consistently heard Kansans’ concerns about passing a fiscally conservative Farm Bill, reining in the weaponization of our federal government, cutting our reckless government spending, protecting the integrity of our nation’s elections, and securing America’s wide-open borders. These concerns have been a guide to how I develop solutions in Congress, and they will continue to be my pilot light in Washington, D.C. When I laid out my Commitment to the Big First at the beginning of the 118th Congress, I promised Kansans to fight for an economy that’s strong, a future that’s built on freedom, a nation that’s safe, and a government that is accountable. Throughout my town halls it was clear – Kansans want me to continue that fight and to get our nation back on track. Read my full column here Building a Future That's Built on Freedom America serves as the pilot light for freedom across the globe. While the Biden-Harris Administration is trying to take away the freedoms of everyday Americans, House Republicans are fighting to ensure our brightest days are yet to come. As part of my Commitment to the Big First, I am advocating for our conservative Kansas values. Congress must defend America's national security and food security, support America's troops and law enforcement, end the humanitarian crisis at our southern border, and support the Second Amendment as the load-bearing wall of the U.S. Constitution. As President Ronald Reagan once said, freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We must ensure America remains the gold-standard for freedom around the world. Read my Commitment to the Big First here Fighting for Family-Owned Businesses During last week’s Democratic National Convention, Democrat delegates approved their official party platform for the 2024 election. Included in that platform was a commitment to eliminate the stepped-up basis tax provision for agricultural producers and small business owners. This policy would be devastating to American farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers, and small business owners. With more than 98% of American farms and 90% of American businesses being family-owned and operated, eliminating stepped-up basis would force millions of families to sell hard-earned businesses just to pay capital gains taxes on inherited assets. These hard-working men and women are the backbone of America, and the government should support their efforts to feed, clothe, and fuel the world, not crush them with more devasting taxes. Our farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers, and small business owners are already navigating a challenging landscape and shouldn't have to worry about capital gains taxes ending their operations. Congressional Democrats and Republicans should reject this nonsense proposal and immediately pass my bipartisan resolution that recognizes the importance of stepped-up basis. The federal government needs to protect American farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers, and small business owners both now and in the future.     Military Academy Nominations As a Member of Congress, I am honored to nominate students from the Big First District to attend our country’s military service academies. The decision to apply to a service academy is a personal and courageous one, and I am humbled to be a part of the process. If you, or a student you know, would like more information about attending one of the U.S. service academies, or have questions about the application process, please click the link below to learn more and apply. The deadline to submit all application materials is Friday, September 27, 2024, at 5:00pm CDT. Click here to learn more and apply 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