|
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, and I believe our brightest days are yet to come.
Yours in service,
| |
|
It’s another busy week in Washington. The House of Representatives will vote on a resolution of joint disapproval under the Congressional Review Act to demand a review of President Biden’s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, which removes longstanding bipartisan exemptions for common water features like ponds and streams found on private property. With this vote, Congress has a golden opportunity to stand up for American farmers, ranchers, agricultural producers, and others affected by President Biden’s overreaching and band-aided definition of water on private lands. This WOTUS rule would amount to the largest private property grab in modern history, and House Republicans will not stand for it. I will also participate in a House Small Business Committee hearing on the same subject, and I look forward to debating the resolution on the House Floor.
Congress will also vote on S. 619, legislation requiring the Director of National Intelligence to declassify information relating to the origin of COVID-19. The COVID-19 Pandemic put the world on hold for two years, and the American people deserve to have all available information regarding COVID-19’s origins.
In addition to the House Small Business Committee’s hearing on WOTUS, I will attend several other committee hearings this week. The House Agriculture Committee is holding a hearing on managing volatility in global commodity derivatives markets. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials is holding a hearing on pipeline safety, and the Subcommittee on Aviation is holding a hearing on the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration entitled “Securing the Future of General Aviation.” Later this week, I will release a portal where you can submit any of your priorities for the modernization of the Federal Aviation Administration – I look forward to hearing your thoughts and bringing them to the table at the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
It continues to be the honor of a lifetime to serve you in Congress.
Meetings in the Office:
- Amp Americas
- American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges
- Community Care Network of Kansas
- Mill Industries
| |
Introducing the Family Farms and Small Business Exemption Act | |
Family farms and small businesses exemplify the American dream, and the Americans who own and operate them shouldn’t be forced to mortgage their businesses to pay for higher education. When young people from these families are applying for higher education financial aid, the assets tied up in the family farm or the small business should not count against them. Las week, I introduced the Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act would ensure that these families would not be unfairly penalized when applying for higher education financial assistance. This is one measurable way for Congress to support the people who help America thrive. | |
Introducing the SHARE Act, Addressing Health Care Workforce Shortage | |
|
Health care facilities and hospitals are experiencing an extreme workforce shortage, which is causing a considerable strain on our health care system, especially in rural communities. We need to improve the licensing process for our current providers, who must obtain a unique license or certification from each state in which they practice. That process can be burdensome, and it can take more than six months.
Last week, I introduced the States Handling Access to Reciprocity for Employment (SHARE) Act, which would improve the current licensing process for health care providers and increase the number of licensed providers able to serve communities.
| |
Letter to USDA Urging Reform to Outdated, Inefficient Farm Programs | |
|
As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I'm committed to cutting federal red tape and addressing inefficient programs that affect Kansas farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers. Last week, I joined 22 of my colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack urging him to take immediate action to improve the outdated Farm Service Agency (FSA) program operations.
Congress and USDA request a wide array of information from agricultural businesses to establish eligibility for farm programs, determine benefit levels, and gather data to assess the impact of such programs. The disconnect between the information requested and the information needed to make decisions delays eligibility and benefit determinations increases costs at USDA and can result in bad decisions. It is critical that the USDA make changes to the FSA, and other outdated programs, to reduce costs to taxpayers and help American agricultural producers efficiently.
| |
Combatting the Fentanyl Crisis | |
Fentanyl is wreaking havoc all over the United States, and it warrants not only permanent listing as a Schedule I controlled substance but also classification as a weapon of mass destruction. I support H.Res. 39, which cites China as a primary source of illicit fentanyl and highlights Mexico’s criminal organizations’ role in trafficking illicit fentanyl-related substances across our southern border. We must take every action possible against fentanyl as it kills people and destroys families every day. | |
Kansas Soybean Association
Since 1973, the Kansas Soybean Association has brought together people interested in the production, marketing, distribution, and utilization of soybeans and soybean products. Last week, I was proud to visit with them about that mission and about how we can protect crop insurance, improve the farm safety net for soybeans and other commodities, and promote new market opportunities in the next Farm Bill.
Thank you for visiting with me, Charles Atkinson, (American Soybean Association Director and KSA Board Member), Jared Nash (KSA VP), Kendall Heiniger (KSA Board Member), Gary Reser (KSA State Legislative Director), and Dennis Hupe (KSA Director of Field Services).
| | | |
Kansas Municipal Utilities
Over the past two years, Kansans have told me about their desire for reliable, affordable, and secure energy. Last week, I met with members of Kansas Municipal Utilities to discuss how we can work to overcome supply chain issues and government overreach while investing in infrastructure and energy security. I am excited to work with them to ensure that Kansans have access to affordable utilities.
| | | |
Kansas American Legion
It was an honor to meet with members of the American Legion from Kansas last week. The American Legion represents nearly 1.6 million U.S. military veterans and service members. We discussed mental health resources, support for our veterans with disabilities, and ensuring that our nation’s heroes receive the highest quality of care when they return home.
During my first two years of being in Congress, I had the privilege of serving on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee - or, as I like to call it, the Heroes Committee. I’m honored to advocate on behalf of Kansas veterans in Congress and appreciate the Kansas American Legion for meeting with me.
| | | |
Chamber of Digital Commerce
I was happy to meet with the Digital Chamber of Commerce last week and hear their perspective on the regulation of digital commodities like bitcoin. I serve on the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development, and Congress must decide how to regulate cryptocurrency in a manner that prevents fraud and instills confidence in market participants while supporting free market principles.
| | | |
Kansas Credit Union
Thank you to members of the Kansas Credit Union for meeting with me last week. We discussed the importance of opposing credit card interchange legislation, protecting people's data security, and upholding the tax status of the credit union. I appreciated Kansas Credit Union for taking the time to share their thoughts with me, and for the work they're doing to protect the economic security of Kansans.
| | | |
Thank you to everyone who attended my town halls in Ellsworth, Pawnee, and Rice counties last Friday. I enjoyed visiting with you all and answering your questions. I have now hosted 32 town halls in 32 counties as part of my 60-county Mann Listening Tour for 2023. Please keep an eye out in future newsletters and on my Facebook and Instagram for information about more town halls when they are scheduled. It is an honor to serve the Big First District in Congress, and I look forward to hosting a town hall in all 60 counties. | |
|
Established in 1876, Splitter Family Farms has been in central Kansas for five generations. Today, Matt Splitter and his wife Janna run the family business, which they have grown from 1,400 acres to 7,000 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat, and grain sorghum.
Young farmers like Matt and Janna are helping Kansas agriculture grow and thrive. It is an honor to advocate for them on the House Agriculture and Small Business committees. Thank you, Matt and Janna, for all your hard work.
| |
Participating in the Hays Chamber Legislative Coffee | |
|
Thank you to the Hays Chamber of Commerce for hosting me at your Legislative Coffee on Saturday. I enjoyed answering your questions and sharing updates about my recent work in Congress. We discussed the border crisis, China’s domestic and international threats, and the upcoming Farm Bill.
A special thank you to Hays Chamber President and CEO, Sarah Wasinger, for moderating the discussion, and to my co-panelists State Senator Rick Billinger and State Representative Ken Rahjes.
| |
Attending the Dodge City Chamber's Annual Dinner | |
It was a pleasure attending the Dodge City Chamber’s annual dinner on Friday night with local leaders and small business owners. Thank you for hosting me and for sharing about your great work to help Dodge City continue to flourish. | |
Meeting with Citizens State Bank and Trust | |
The Citizens State Bank opened for business on June 16, 1900. Today, it has branches in Ellsworth, Lincoln, Delphos, Glasco, and Minneapolis. It was great meeting with Citizens State Bank CEO Dave Brownback and John Thaemert at their branch in Ellsworth last week. I appreciate their hard work on the issues which affect Kansans and our financial institutions. | |
|
ICYMI: My conversation with Kyle Baur on
"Ag Perspectives", KRFM 550AM
| |
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.
| |
Questions about the internship program? Contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-2715. | |
|
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 COB
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-2715
| |
|
If I can do anything to help you, please reach out to my office.
Sincerely,
| | | | |
