Email from Rep. Mann Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter. Message from Rep. Tracey Mann. Having Trouble Viewing? Click Here. Fellow Kansan, Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter. Audrey and I join the nation in grieving last week's tragedy with the political assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Political violence has no place in our society and it is antithetical to who we are Americans. I hope you'll join me in praying for Charlie's family, his wife Erika, and his two beautiful children he left behind. May his soul rest in peace. If you would like more information on what I am working on this week, be sure to follow me on social media. 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 The Week Ahead The U.S. House of Representatives is back in session for a full week of meetings, committee activity, and floor votes. This morning I participated in a House Agriculture Committee hearing examining the state of the specialty crop industry. Specialty crops are a growing industry in Kansas, and it is important that the federal government has sound policies that promote their growth, not stifle them. It was great to hear from leaders in the industry about their biggest concerns facing specialty crops in, the U.S., and how Congress can continue to pass commonsense policies that help the industry thrive. The House Agriculture Committee will also hold a hearing later this week examining USDA Rural Development's efforts to deliver vital programs and services to rural America. As the representative of 60 primarily rural counties in Kansas, I know firsthand how important these services are to communities like ours. I will continue working with USDA to ensure they have all the resources they need to efficiently and effectively meet the needs of rural communities across the country. The House of Representatives will also consider legislation to make Washington, D.C. safe again. For far too long, our nation's capital has embraced soft on crime policies that have incentivized repeat offenders and given those who commit crimes an endless get out of jail free card. Since President Trump deployed the National Guard, homicides are down nearly 20%, robberies are down 32%, carjackings are down 87%, and total violent crime is down 27%. Enforcing the law works and House Republicans will pass commonsense measures that do just that.  The House will also vote to unleash American energy dominance and lower costs for working families. Burdensome red tape and regulations have created a never-ending permitting process and put the reliability of future energy sources at risk. House Republicans are committed to cutting that red tape and protecting the stability of our energy sources to ensure that we never have to depend on a foreign country for our nation's energy. Meetings in the Office Associated General Contractors of Kansas Transportation Intermediaries Association Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence Prairie Star Health Center REPCO Kansas Wheat National Sorghum Producers National Turkey Federation American Feed Industry Association American Planning Association National Head Start Association Kansas Honor Flight Veterans National Community Pharmacists Association Kansas Bankers Association Association of Equipment Manufacturers International Dairy Foods Association National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association Farm Credit System Kansas Corn Smoky Hill Education Service Center Praying for Peace in Our Country When you pray with someone, it’s hard to hate them. My friend and colleague, Tom Suozzi and I joined Bret Baier's Common Ground segment to discuss the heartbreaking tragedy of Charlie Kirk's murder and how as a nation we must do better. As Charlie Kirk often said, "when people stop talking that’s when violence starts to happen." We can disagree with people without demonizing them. It is my prayer that our nation can come together, pray for healing, and disagree well without hating one another. I invite the nation and my fellow Kansans to join President Trump in his invitation for the country to pray together for one hour a week ahead of the country's 250th birthday. America is the greatest country on Earth, in part because we have the right to disagree peacefully. It is my prayer that we will reject political violence and stand together as Americans. Strengthening Rural Health Care No American should have to sacrifice access to quality health care because of their zip code. We should not force millions of Americans who live outside of urban areas to be limited in the care they can receive because of outdated laws and regulations that haven’t been reevaluated since the 1970s. As the representative of 60 primarily rural counties across the Big First, I understand the unique challenge rural America faces in accessing quality health care. I led 14 of my colleagues in introducing a bipartisan package of bills that strengthens rural health care. The Modernizing Rural Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner Utilization Act, the Rural Health Clinic Location Modernization Act, and the Rural Behavioral Health Improvement Act make necessary updates and modifications to federal guidelines and regulations that will modernize access to Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) and improve services for more than 40 million Americans living in non-urban and rural communities. The bills also remove regulatory red tape and empower rural health care professionals to better meet the needs of the communities they serve. Health care should not and cannot be a one-size-fits-all policy. These commonsense reforms better equip health care facilities and professionals to meet the needs of the communities they serve. Improving Rural Health Care Access Celebrating our State Fair The State Fair is one of the crown jewels of Kansas' traditions. For more than a century, families have made the trip to Hutchinson every September to celebrate agriculture, spend time together, and showcase the very best of our state. It is a place where urban and rural Kansans alike come together, where grandparents bring their grandkids to see livestock shows, enjoy funnel cakes and candy apples, ride the Ferris wheel, and come together to honor agriculture as the backbone of our economy and our culture. I was proud to give my House of Representatives colleagues a taste of our storied tradition in my speech on the House floor. Supporting Our Troops and National Security Last week, we passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — a critical investment in our national defense and the men and women who serve. This legislation strengthens our military readiness, modernizes our defense capabilities, gives our troops a pay raise, and secures our border through permanent policy reforms. This legislation will now go to a conference with the Senate before final passage. Honoring the Kansan of the Year It was great catching up with Kansans in Washington, D.C. last week at the annual Kansas State Society dinner. Kansans in the nation's capital honored Kansan of the Year, Elyce Arons. Elyce is co-founder of two fashion brands: Kate Spade and Frances Valentine. Growing up on a farm in Sedgwick, Elyce attended the University of Kansas where she met her best friend, Katherine Brosnahan, better known to the world as Kate Spade, and built one of the largest and most influential fashion brands on the planet. Her story is a testament to how a high work ethic and true sense of Kansas values can make you a success anywhere in the world. And of course, it's always fun to have the opportunity to sing Home on the Range with the Kansas delegation. Thank you, Kansas State Society, for a wonderful evening! Underscoring the Importance of SNAP Accountability The Farm Bill Nutrition Title accounts were estimated to account for 81% of Farm Bill spending in 2024, which makes it vital that Congress is active in conducting oversight to ensure that the program is operating effectively. States and localities play a key role in administering the SNAP program on behalf of the Federal government. Last week, I participated in a hearing to ensure that SNAP benefits are being used in the ways they were intended by Congress.  While it is important to maintain flexibility, there must also be accountability for high error rates that prevent benefits from being directed to our most vulnerable populations. Americans are generous people and most of us share the same goal: ensuring that SNAP benefits reach those who truly need them. If there are ways to make improvements to how states and localities are administering the program, and ways to root out waste, fraud, and abuse, we should pursue those solutions and ensure that they are implemented effectively. Examining the Implementation of the Water Resources Development Act The Water Resources Development Act of 2024 delivered for the Big First District. This legislation included support for numerous projects that are crucial to the Big First, including the levee project in Manhattan, a study to determine how to refuel the Ogallala Aquifer and better position Kansas to combat droughts, and much needed changes to storage contracts from Milford Lake and Perry Lake that will provide much needed financial relief for Kansas and those that utilize the storage. The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee held a hearing examining its implementation and ensuring that respective agencies have the resources they need to strengthen our nation's resources infrastructure and implement these projects efficiently and effectively. Addressing Agriculture Producers Grain handlers, feed processors, and ag suppliers are vital to Kansas' farm economy. I had the opportunity to speak with the National Grain and Feed Association in Washington this week to share updates on our legislative priorities, including the agriculture wins we secured in the Working Families Tax Cuts bill and the ongoing progress toward passing Farm Bill 2.0. We had a productive discussion and I appreciated their thoughtful questions and continued commitment to feeding the world. Thanks for inviting me! Speaking with the Kansas Chamber of Commerce The Kansas Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest pro-business voices in our state that advocates for working class families and small businesses. During their annual fly-in, I had the opportunity to sit down with their members to discuss workforce development initiatives in Congress, pro-growth, pro-agriculture wins in our Working Families Tax Cuts bill, and how Congress can support our state's agribusinesses in an ever changing geopolitical landscape. I enjoyed the conversation and appreciated answering some of their member's most pressing questions. Thanks for all you do to fight for Kansas small businesses! Military Academy Applications Each year, I have the honor of nominating select students from the Big First District to join the ranks of the best and brightest in our nation’s service academies. If you or someone you know is interested in attending a U.S. Service Academy, my office is currently accepting military nomination applications through September 29, 2025. For eligibility requirements and to apply, visit my website. Nomination Page Meetings of the Week Last week in Washington, I met with leaders from the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce, Kansas Hospital Association, and Kansas University Health Center to discuss ways to improve access to care and support economic growth. I also had productive conversations with Growth Energy, the Kansas Pork Association, the Meat Institute, Viega, and the Kansas Automobile Dealers Association about energy policy, agriculture, and the future of American manufacturing. I’m always glad to hear directly from Kansans about the work they’re doing and the federal policies that impact their communities. Thanks for meeting with me! Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce Meat Institute Kansas Automobile Dealers Association Kansas Farmers Union Kansas Pork Association Growth Energy Viega Kansas Hospital Association Serving The Big First As fall begins and Kansans settle into new routines, my offices in Washington, D.C., and across the Big First remain ready to help. Whether you’re planning a trip to our nation’s capital, need assistance with passports or a federal agency, or want to request an American flag flown over the Capitol, we have resources available.  We’re also proud to assist Kansas veterans with accessing benefits and resolving issues with the VA. You can find helpful information and request services anytime at mann.house.gov, or feel free to call one of my offices in Washington, Manhattan, or Dodge City. My team and I are here to serve you. Constituent Services     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 one week 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