Message from Rep. Tracey Mann. Having Trouble Viewing? Click Here. Fellow Kansan, Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter! I value the opportunity to talk with you about my work in Washington, D.C. and in the First District of Kansas. Please feel free to share this email with family and friends who may be interested. As always, if you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please contact my office - my staff and I are here and ready to assist you. Yours in service,   Mann.House.Gov The Week Ahead The U.S. House of Representatives convened on Monday for another week of session. The House is expected to conduct legislative business and hold votes through Thursday. Committee Overview: On Tuesday, the House Veterans' Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations has a hearing to examine the VA's acquisition failures and possible solutions. The House Agriculture Committee has a hearing to review stakeholder perspectives on Title II Conservation Programs in preparation for the 2023 Farm Bill. The House Committee on Veterans' Affairs also has a meeting on Wednesday to markup and advance 13 pieces of legislation, including my bill, the Strengthening Whistleblower Protections at the Department of Veterans Affairs Act, which will enhance protections for whistleblowers who expose the waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars at the VA. House Floor Activity Overview: The House may consider a stopgap spending bill this week, which is needed to prevent a partial government shutdown after September 30. Other bills up for consideration include legislation to allow married or previously married couples to separate their consolidated federal student loans; limit the federal government from compelling journalists from revealing confidential sources and information; and direct the president to determine whether certain Russian individuals would be subject to sanctions related to corruption or human rights violations. Meetings In the Office: Kansas Honor Flight Livestock Marketing Association Kansas Bankers Association Salina Surgical Hospital Associated General Contractors of Kansas   Mann.House.Gov Happening Across the Country Tentative deal between freight railroads and labor unions Last week, at the last hour, union leaders and freight railroad companies reached a tentative deal to maintain operations and avert a full-on shutdown. The United States’ economy should never be used as a bargaining chip. American producers need rail infrastructure for essential products like fertilizer and grain, which they use to keep our country fed. The American people never deserve to have their goods and services held hostage under any circumstances. America was on the brink of disaster because of a failure of leadership from the Biden Administration. Our country is off the rails, and we need new leadership in D.C. to get back on track.   Mann.House.Gov House Agriculture Committee A 2022 Review of the Farm Bill: Broadband The Big First District and other rural areas across the country rely on broadband to connect our communities to one another and to the rest of the world. Access to broadband is essential to the livelihoods of agricultural producers, and for rural communities to remain and grow prosperous. During a hearing to examine broadband policies for the 2023 Farm Bill, I asked the witnesses about critical aspects that may hinder the expansion of rural broadband including mapping, data accuracy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) loan approval process, and USDA’s implementation strategy. Watch the video below to hear my full questions and remarks. Soil Health Practices and Programs that support Regenerative Agriculture The Big First District is home to more than 45,000 agricultural producers. These producers, and many producers across the country, know the importance of conservation. After all, agricultural producers are the original stewards of the land. They work to protect our land and natural resources not only for their own livelihoods, but also for the next generation of agricultural leaders. These producers rely on Mother Nature, natural resources, accessible technology, the responsible use of affordable and available fertilizer, which I have been vocal about, and more. As the House Agriculture Committee examines conservation policies for the upcoming Farm Bill, I believe Congress must ensure that farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers have the resources they need to succeed and then get out of their way.   Mann.House.Gov House Committee on Veterans' Affairs U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Interim Final Ruling on Abortion The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recently issued an interim final rule to advance the Biden Administration’s pro-abortion agenda. The rule directs the VA to provide abortions and abortion counseling, despite the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 and the longstanding Hyde Amendment explicitly prohibiting the VA from providing these services. I signed onto a joint resolution that would nullify the VA's interim final rule that would provide for illegal taxpayer-funded abortions. Most Americans don't want their taxpayer dollars going towards funding abortions, and this position has received bipartisan support for decades. I will always fight to protect the lives of the unborn and stand against federally funded abortions. Gold Star Families Remembrance Week Resolution America is a free country because of the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes, and the sacrifices made by their families at home. The families of our servicemembers, especially those who laid down their lives defending freedom, deserve our utmost support and recognition. I am honored to cosponsor this resolution recognizing the often-unsung American heroes, our Gold Star families. The Gold Star Families Remembrance Week resolution recognizes the loss and sacrifices of families in support of fallen members of the Armed Forces, as well as veterans. It encourages Americans to perform acts of community service and goodwill to honor these families. Commemoration of Gold Star Families Remembrance Week serves as a build-up to Gold Star Mother’s Day, which has been observed by presidential proclamation since 1936 on the last Sunday of September. Read the full text of the resolution here.   Mann.House.Gov In the Office Demanding Answers from Credit Card Companies Infringing on 2nd Amendment Rights No one should have to worry about their privacy after legally purchasing a firearm. My colleagues and I are demanding answers from several credit card companies regarding their implementation of a new code to specifically classify gun sales. Previous attempts to create firearm-specific credit card codes have been denied, and warnings suggest that a new code would burden smaller firearm retailers. The Second Amendment is a load-bearing wall in our Constitution. When a load-bearing wall of a structure is weakened the entire structure is compromised. I will always defend the Second Amendment and preserve the foundation of our Constitution. Read the full text of the letter here. Protecting Pharmacists' First Amendment Rights The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued new guidance warning that pharmacists may be in violation of federal civil rights laws if they don't fill elective abortion prescriptions. This extreme guidance is overreaching and is an attempt to coerce pharmacists to violate their consciences out of fear of retaliation from the Biden Administration. That is why I joined my colleagues in introducing legislation that protects the moral consciences and medical practices of pharmacists. Click here to read the full text of the bill. Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Modern-day research has found substantial evidence that by at least 15 weeks of age, unborn babies can feel pain. It is vital that we follow these scientific advances and increase human rights protections for these children. I firmly believe that life begins at conception, and unborn children should be afforded the same natural and God-given rights as all other living persons. That is why I cosponsor the Protecting Pain-Capable Unborn Children from Late-Term Abortions Act. I will always fight to protect the life of the unborn. Click here to read the full text of the bill.   Mann.House.Gov Kansans in the Office Kansas Farm Bureau, 'Friend of Farm Bureau' Award It is a great honor to serve Kansas agricultural producers in Congress and on the House Agriculture Committee, and I'm honored to accept the 'Friend of Farm Bureau' award from the American Farm Bureau. Agriculture is the heartbeat of the Big First District, Kansas, and America. Our farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers care for their neighbors, work hard no matter the circumstances, and carry with them a pioneering spirit. A special thank you to Kansas Farm Bureau for taking the time to visit me in Washington, D.C., and for the great work they accomplish for our agricultural producers in Kansas. Kansas Chamber of Commerce Kansas Wheat Association Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce IFYE Association of the USA, Inc. Veterans of Foreign Wars of Kansas   Mann.House.Gov Since last January, my staff and I have corresponded with and assisted thousands of Kansans, and we are here to serve you too! Please call my Manhattan or Dodge City offices if you need assistance with federal agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Veterans Affairs. If you would like to share comments or concerns regarding current legislation, or are planning a visit to Washington, D.C., and would like a tour of the Capitol, please contact my Washington, D.C. office. Click here to visit my website. Manhattan Office 121 South 4th Street Suite 205 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 522 Cannon HOB Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: (202) 225-2715 Military Academy Nominations As a member of Congress, it is my honor to offer service academy nominations for ten students in the Big First District who wish to pursue a career serving in our nation's military. My office is now accepting nominations for the 2022 class of Miltary Academy Nominations. Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to the five U.S. service academies: U.S. Military Academy (USMA), West Point, NY U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), Annapolis, MD U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado Springs, CO U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), Kings Point, NY U.S. Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), New London, CT If you, or a student you know, would like more information about attending one of the U.S. service academies, please visit my website for more information about the nomination process, or contact my Manhattan office at (785) 370-7277. Click here to learn more about Military Academy Nominations. Tyler Engstrom, 2021 nominee selected to U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Ian Clark, 2021 nominee selected to U.S. Naval Academy. Click here to learn more about the 2022 Congressional App Challenge. Follow Me on Social Media: CONSTITUENT SERVICES     If I can do anything to help you, please reach out to my office. Sincerely,   Rep. 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