It’s no secret that Kansas’ rural communities have unique needs. They have needs that, frankly, aren’t always addressed sufficiently by politicians in Washington. That’s why I’ve been particularly outspoken in Congress about supporting our state’s rural areas.

Look, these communities are the backbone of Kansas’ economy. So many of our state’s farms, ranches, factories, and jobs are located in rural areas — which is exactly why I’ve worked so hard to keep these communities thriving for years to come.

Throughout my time in Washington, I’ve worked to expand access to broadband internet, protect rural hospitals, and lower the cost of living — three issues that are especially critical to Kansans in rural areas. Thanks to this work, we’ve made real progress over the years. But I also know the job isn’t finished.

Today, rural communities deserve a government that prioritizes their distinctive needs, not the desires of Washington special interests. But since National Republicans took full control of Washington, we’ve seen a government run by special interests, for special interests.

Under extreme Republican leadership, the government website that serves our rural communities even went offline! This level of indifference to rural Kansans is particularly disappointing — but I can’t say it’s surprising.

After all, it’s becoming increasingly clear that rural communities aren’t receiving the support they deserve under Speaker Mike Johnson’s leadership. Instead of coming to the table to address the urgent needs of rural families, extreme Republicans are focused on playing politics, hiking costs, and giving handout after handout to billionaires on the coasts.

We need to show GOP leadership that their priorities are skewed. If you believe every community across Kansas deserves real support, will you chip in today to help me continue to deliver resources and solutions to the areas that need it most?

Thank you for chipping in and standing up for the needs of Kansas communities.

-Sharice