Message from Rep. Tracey Mann. Having Trouble Viewing? Click Here. Fellow Kansan, Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter! I’m excited to update you on my work in Washington, D.C. and the First District of Kansas. It is an honor to represent Kansans in the Big First District in the 118th Congress. 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 intend to do while believing our brightest days are yet to come. Yours in service,   Mann.House.Gov The Week Ahead The House is in session this week. The House is in session this week. Two of the bills up for consideration surround the state of health care, including H.R. 297, the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, which eliminates the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on health care providers under certain federal health care programs. Another bill up for consideration is a resolution to terminate the COVID-19 National Emergency Declaration. In September of 2022, even President Biden said, "the pandemic is over", but his administration extended the Public Health Emergency (PHE) again on January 11, 2023, marking the twelfth time that they have done so. I will vote YES on both bills because it is time to end these authoritarian mandates and perpetual states of emergency. The House will also vote on a resolution condemning socialism. Socialism must never take root in America - the world leader of freedom and justice. This legislation is simple: Congress unequivocally condemns socialism and will fight against the implementation of socialist policies in the United States of America. I will vote YES on this resolution.   Mann.House.Gov In the Office It was great to hear from Kansans all across the district during my tele-town hall last Thursday, including the new counties in the Big First District. I host these town halls because I care about what matters to you. During the discussion, I asked Kansans whether rising energy costs were negatively affecting them and their family. 81% said YES, 12% said NO, and 7% said UNSURE. Over the past two years, President Biden has compromised our national security and left our nation vulnerable by draining America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to its lowest level since 1984 and taking no steps to refill it – now Kansans are shouldering the economic burden. People in the Big First are fed up with the Biden Administration's failed policies across the board and their blatant overreach into the lives of American citizens. I will never stop fighting to uphold our conservative values and protect the livelihoods of Kansans. Thank you to everyone who joined me, and I look forward to visiting with you again soon. Fighting President Biden's Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) Recklessness On Friday, I fought the Biden Administration’s reckless behavior while promoting American energy independence and national security with my YES vote on H.R. 21, the Strategic Production Response Act.  President Biden has been playing fast and loose with one of our country’s most important national security assets. His Administration’s energy policies have caused prices to skyrocket at the pump. Using the SPR as a political tool to mask that failure has led to severe U.S. energy insecurity and the depletion of our oil reserves, which poses a threat to national security. This legislation is a decisive step towards ending President Biden's war on fossil fuels, empowering domestic energy producers, and resurrecting American energy independence by protecting our SPR from an Administration that clearly doesn’t understand how its importance. It's time to unleash American energy independence and secure our country's energy security. Blasting the Biden Administration's WOTUS Rule Once again, the Biden Administration is creating regulatory chaos for agricultural producers who are working tirelessly to keep us all fed, fueled, and clothed. The Biden Administration’s newest "Waters of the United States" (WOTUS) rule removes longstanding bipartisan exemptions for common water features like ponds or streams found on farms and ranches. I joined 196 of my colleagues in speaking out against the Biden Administration for its premature and reckless WOTUS final rule. This rule should be revoked until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on Sackett V. EPA, which will determine whether EPA has the authority to enforce this rule in the first place. President Biden’s WOTUS rule is a glaring example of the harm that government overreach can cause. Farmers are the original conservationists, and they deserve the support of the federal government, not red tape and burdensome overregulation. Click here to read the full text of the letter. Click here for more information on the new WOTUS rule. Reestablishing the Congressional FFA Caucus Last week, I reestablished the Congressional FFA Caucus in the 118th Congress alongside my co-chair, Representative Jimmy Panetta. Representative Panetta and I co-founded the caucus on December 2, 2021. The FFA Caucus is an informal, bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives dedicated to issues related to the next generation of agricultural leaders and students pursuing careers in agriculture, food, natural resources, and related sciences. Now more than ever, we need young people with the foresight, creativity, and skills necessary to meet the challenge of delivering food, fiber, and fuel to the world. The FFA Caucus provides a unique opportunity for Congress to reach across the aisle and promote the next generation of food and agriculture as we all work to feed, fuel, and clothe a growing population. Click here to read more about the reestablishment of the Congressional FFA Caucus. Click here to visit the Congressional FFA Caucus website. Supporting Law Enforcement One of the primary functions of government is to secure peace and prosperity in our country. I am shocked to hear calls from Washington Democrats to defund, disband, dismantle, and even abolish the police force. I cosponsor a resolution committing Congress to not defund the police – it’s time to honor the dedication of law enforcement personnel and thank them for providing for our safety. Reining in President Biden's Inflation Crisis Americans have been shouldering the burden of skyrocketing inflation ever since President Biden took office and started implementing reckless tax-and-spend policies via executive orders and mandates. I cosponsor the REIN In Inflation Act, which would require the executive branch to publish the inflationary impact of their executive orders before enacting them. It’s Congress’ job to conduct oversight, and this is a commonsense piece of legislation that will protect Americans from having to endure even worse inflation. Both the REIN In Inflation Act and my legislation – the More Accountability is Necessary Now (MANN) Acts, require more accountability from the executive branch and promote oversight of the rampant government spending that often comes along with executive orders. Building Back America's Nursing Workforce We have a nursing shortage in America. Congress has an opportunity to streamline the process of becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) while ensuring that caregivers maintain the same professional standards. I cosponsor the Building America’s Workforce Act, which would allow temporary nurse aides to continue in their roles while working towards their CNA certifications. This legislation would also maintain patient safety protections by requiring competency evaluations that assess temporary nurse aides on a variety of factors including interpersonal skills, performing basic nursing skills, personal care skills, and mental health and social service needs. Meeting with the U.S. Coast Guard It was an honor to host Lieutenant Commander Earl Potter IV and Lieutenant Ila Carter and to receive the U.S. Coast Guard seal. The Coast Guard, which has been under the authority of the Department of Homeland Security since September 11, 2001, is dedicated to maritime safety, security, and stewardship. Many people don't know that the United States Coast Guard Pay and Personnel Center has been in Kansas for decades, and it supports all Coast Guard active, reserve, retired, dependent, and annuitant pay. Thank you, Lt. Commander Potter, Lt. Carter, and all Coast Guard service members for your service to our country.   Mann.House.Gov In the District Celebrating Kansas Day On January 29, 1861, Kansas joined the Union as a free state. From the days of Bleeding Kansas and the fight to be a free state, to Brown vs. Board of Education, Kansas has stood as a pillar of freedom and liberty for all people. In celebration of Kansas Day, the kids gave presentations about Kansas historical figures at school. Quincy was Elizabeth "Libbie" Custer – author, public speaker, and wife of Maj. General George Custer; Austin was explorer Francisco Vasquez De Coronado; and Whitney was civil rights activist Esther Brown. It's inspiring to see young Kansans learn about and take pride in our state's history. Kansans have the core values of honesty, hard work, respect for their roots, common sense, service, simplicity, and genuine care for people, and that's what I strive to bring to Washington, D.C. as the Representative for the Big First.  Ad Astra, Per Aspera. Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting I had a great time attending the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting on Friday night. Lawrence is now part of the First District, and they are doing some exciting economic development. Congratulations to Citizen of the Year Smitty Belcher, and Athena Leadership Award Winner Evan Williams. Thank you to Chamber President/CEO Bonnie Lowe, Chamber staff members Hugh Carter and Tiffany Hall, as well as Matt Llewellyn from 23rd Street Brewery in Lawrence for the hospitality. Summer 2023 Internship Applications Now Open My office is now accepting applications for Summer 2023 interns! Our internship program is one of the highlights of serving the Big First District. It is a privilege to offer Kansas students the opportunity to serve our state and learn more about the legislative process. Applicants may apply for the first session (May 22-June 30), the second session (July 3-August 11), or both. The deadline to apply for the Summer Internship session is March 12, 2023, at 5:00PM CT. CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE AND TO APPLY. Questions? Contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-2715 or email [email protected]. Follow Me on Social Media: 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. 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