{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"KS\" and year = 2025 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7299", "Congressman Estes Releases Statement on Funding to Kansas Strengthening Rural Health Care", "2025-12-30", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "WASHINGTON - Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) released the following statement following the Trump administration\u2019s announcement that gives nearly $222 million to Kansas as part of the Rural Health Transformation Program:\n\n\u201cAs a member of the House Ways and Means Committee I was proud to be involved in the conversations that led to including these investments into the One Big Beautiful Bill, and I\u2019m thrilled to see this funding being given to rural health care nationwide, and particularly the $222 million being given to Kansas,\u201d Congressman Estes said. \u201cRural health care is one of the largest challenges that Kansas faces, and this investment will make a significant difference across the board. Your zip code should never determine your access to reliable and quality health care. I\u2019m pleased to see this historic initiative and look forward to seeing the differences that these funds make in Kansas.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7291", "Congressman Estes Releases Statement on House Passage of Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act", "2025-12-29", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Budget Committee, released the following statement after House Republicans passed the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act \u2013 a package of reforms that would lower premium costs for all Americans, expand access to affordable coverage, and increase transparency to drive down prices across the health care system.\n\n\u201cI voted for this legislation knowing that House Republicans are choosing the right and most sensical way \u2013 decreasing health care premiums by 11%. Republicans are addressing the health care crisis in America that Democrats themselves created through Obamacare,\u201d Congressman Estes said. \u201cThe law Democrats passed that they insisted would make health care affordable couldn\u2019t be more untrue. The Unaffordable Care Act led to doubled premiums and deductibles, and choices decreased for Americans nationwide. Republicans are committed to solving this crisis, and I\u2019m honored to vote for this legislation alongside my colleagues.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=C379D510-3516-412F-943B-FC5C0D7BE2D7", "Sen. Moran Applauds $222 Million for Kansas Rural Hospitals from First Year of CMS Rural Health Transformation Program", "2025-12-29", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today applauded the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announcement that Kansas will receive $222 million for the first year of the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. This allotment will be awarded for 2026, the first year of the five-year program. The RHT was created in the Reconciliation Bill to direct CMS to work with states to identify the root challenges facing rural health providers and invest in solutions to improve outcomes for struggling providers.\n\n\u201cThe Rural Health Transformation Program is a significant investment in rural health care and will help improve outcomes for struggling hospitals, invest in new technology and bolster rural communities,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cI worked with my colleagues to establish this fund, and these resources will now be tailored to meet the individual needs of rural health care in each state with no match required by the state. I look forward to working with our health care leaders and state leaders to make certain Kansas providers are able to use these resources to improve the long-term success of rural providers.\u201d\n\nSen. Moran helped establish the rural provider fund as a part of the Reconciliation Bill, which was signed into law by the President on July 4. On July 3, Sen. Moran joined a town hall with more than 100 Kansas hospital leaders to outline changes made in the Reconciliation Bill for rural hospitals specifically, highlighting the Rural Health Transformation Program.\n\nItems to note:\n\nFunds from the RHT program will be allocated to approved states over five years, with $10 billion available each year from Fiscal Year 2026 through Fiscal Year 2030.\n\nKansas will receive one of the highest amounts from the RHT program, exceeded by only five other states.\n\nThe funding requires no state match; it is a federal-only investment aimed at helping to improve outcomes for struggling healthcare providers.\n\nThis is a one-time application with no renewal required, making certain states and providers have access to the funding over the next five years without needing to reapply.\n\nIn collaboration with CMS, states submitted detailed rural health transformation plans for improving access to care. CMS will monitor implementation in order to make certain resources are being targeted to best support struggling providers and improve health outcomes in rural communities.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=4DA43F2D-C747-4AE0-A481-A224962CFDFF", "Sens. Moran, Cortez Masto Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen America\u2019s Energy Supply Chain", "2025-12-26", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen America\u2019s energy supply chain, reducing the risk of dangerous power outages and helping to meet increasing energy demand. The Electric Supply Chain Act would require the Secretary of Energy to conduct regular assessments of electric consumption trends and vulnerabilities in the electric energy supply chain, which includes distribution lines, transformers and other equipment required to connect energy generators to energy consumers.\n\n\u201cDemand for energy is continuing to grow in Kansas and across the country as power needs increase for housing, business and transportation,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cAs demand for energy expands, so does the importance of securing our energy supply chains. It is critical that the Department of Energy is tracking trends in our nation\u2019s energy consumption to recognize vulnerabilities and protect national energy security.\u201d\n\n\u201cNevada\u2019s electric grid is experiencing unprecedented levels of demand,\u201d said Sen. Cortez Masto. \u201cIt is our responsibility to help ensure that our supply chains are secure and capable of meeting growing energy demand to prevent power outages or other disruptions to daily life. This commonsense, bipartisan legislation will ensure the Department of Energy is collecting information needed to keep electricity flowing throughout the country.\u201d\n\nThe legislation would require the Department of Energy to conduct regular reviews of the electric energy supply chain with the following information:\n\nEfforts and opportunities to strengthen, secure and supply electric energy supply chains;\n\nAny trends, risks and vulnerabilities in the supply, demand and availability of components for or related to transmitting electricity;\n\nNational security and energy security considerations for strengthening, securing and expanding such supply chains;\n\nBarriers to expanding and manufacturing transmission components and the processing of critical minerals;\n\nDomestic policies that would prevent greater investment into such supply chains;\n\nWorkforce challenges impacting such supply chains; and\n\nRecommendations to address the above challenges and risks to the electric energy supply chain.\n\nFull text of the legislation can be found here.\n\nSimilar legislation led by Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH-05) recently passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation is endorsed by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM); National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO); Securing America\u2019s Future Energy (SAFE); and the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA).\n\n\u201cManufacturers thank Senator Cortez Masto and Senator Moran for introducing the Senate companion to the Electric Supply Chain Act,\u201d said Chris Phalen, NAM Vice President of Domestic Policy. \u201cTheir leadership underscores the bipartisan commitment to strengthening America\u2019s competitiveness and keeping our economy growing. Manufacturers are making significant investments in the domestic production of components that are helping to maintain and modernize our grid, and this bill will help ensure those efforts are matched by smart federal oversight and strategic insight. We urge the Senate to continue this momentum and advance this legislation as part of the broader push for comprehensive permitting reform and grid modernization that will strengthen America\u2019s energy and AI dominance.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s grid is foundational to reindustrializing our economy and advancing U.S. leadership in twenty-first century technologies,\u201d said Avery Ash, SAFE CEO. \u201cEnergy-intensive industries are central to American global competitiveness, including critical mineral processing, smelting, automotive manufacturing, and AI computing. The analysis required by this bill will be valuable in enabling strategies to secure our grid component supply chains from foreign adversaries and expand our grid to meet future electricity demand.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) applauds Senators Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) for their introduction of the Electric Supply Chain Act, marking a swift and encouraging response to House passage of the bill earlier this month,\u201d said Peter Ferrell, NEMA Senior Director of Government Relations. \u201cBy requiring regular reports on the grid and its supply chains from the U.S. Department of Energy, this bill enables government and private sector partners to undertake more efficient and effective actions that will improve the reliability and affordability of the grid. NEMA appreciates the Senate's commitment to comprehensive oversight and stewardship of our nation's most critical infrastructure, and encourages bipartisan action on this legislation.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=136799C1-5C8E-4A3E-B181-5F52F5F5FC03", "Sen. Moran, Colleagues Call on NTIA to Preserve States\u2019 Ability to Use Broadband Infrastructure Funds as Congress Intended", "2025-12-23", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) \u2013 a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, Transportation \u2013 joined Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and their colleagues in urging Arielle Roth, the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), to preserve the ability of states to use their remaining Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) funds consistent with congressional intent.\n\nThe senators\u2019 letter also requests NTIA to provide a public accounting of unspent BEAD funds for each state, clarification of NTIA\u2019s current interpretation of allowable \u201cnon-deployment\u201d uses and a timetable for revised guidance on non-deployment funds.\n\nSens. Moran and Fischer were joined by Sens. Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-N.M.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Lisa Murkowski (R- Alaska), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).\n\n\u201cWe write to request the agency\u2019s attention to a major question emerging within the BEAD Program,\u201d wrote the senators. \u201cUnder the latest BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity, many states likely will \u2014 or already do \u2014 have leftover BEAD allocations. Given the intent of Congress that these resources be used to expand broadband access nationwide, we respectfully seek clarity on how NTIA will ensure proper stewardship and redistribution of non-deployment funds to close the digital divide.\u201d\n\nThe full letter can be found here and below.\n\nDear Administrator Roth:\n\nWe write to request the agency\u2019s attention to a major question emerging within the BEAD Program. Under the latest BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice, many states likely will \u2014 or already do \u2014 have leftover BEAD allocations. Given the intent of Congress that these resources be used to expand broadband access nationwide, we respectfully seek clarity on how NTIA will ensure proper stewardship of non-deployment funds to close the digital divide.\n\nUnder the statutory framework established by Section 60102 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (47 U.S.C. \u00a7 1702), BEAD funding was intended first and foremost to fund broadband expansion: deployment to unserved locations, then underserved areas and connection of eligible community anchor institutions, before consideration of a broader set of permissible \u201cnon[1]deployment\u201d uses to facilitate goals of the program. Congress granted this authority, along with the authority to redistribute unallocated funding amongst eligible entities, to maximize broadband infrastructure buildout \u2013 and thereby boost the economic productivity that connectivity brings to every corner of our country.\n\nThe current status of non-deployment funding, however, appears unsettled. While NTIA\u2019s recent guidance stated that allowable non-deployment purposes were still under review, we were encouraged by your public comments on December 2, 2025, stating that the agency is \u201coperating under the assumption that the states will get to use their BEAD savings,\u201d though noting that \u201cnothing has been finalized.\u201d\n\nGiven these considerations, we respectfully request that NTIA provide:\n\nA public accounting of the BEAD funds for each state, including amounts already committed to deployment projects and amounts remaining unallocated or reserved for non-deployment uses;\n\nClarification of NTIA\u2019s current interpretation of allowable \u201cnon-deployment\u201d uses in light of the June 2025 policy notice and consistent with authorized use of the funds under 47 U.S.C. \u00a7 1702 moving forward, and whether any previously approved non-deployment activities may remain eligible; and\n\nA timetable for revised guidance on non-deployment funds, along with any criteria or conditions under which non-deployment programs will be permitted or prioritized.\n\nIn responding, we strongly urge NTIA to preserve states\u2019 ability to use their non-deployment BEAD funds consistent with congressional intent and the bipartisan infrastructure law. We look forward to your timely reply and to ensuring that every BEAD dollar is used to connect Americans for generations to come, as Congress intended.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-derek-schmidt-welcomes-kansas-city-chiefs-kansas", "Rep. Derek Schmidt Welcomes the Kansas City Chiefs to Kansas", "2025-12-22", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Derek Schmidt", "S001228", "schmidt.house.gov", "schmidt", "https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 (December 22, 2025) \u2013 Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) released the following statement regarding the Kansas City Chiefs announcement today to move to Kansas:\n\n\"Keeping the Chiefs in Kansas City is a victory for our region that will reward generations to come. Welcome to Kansas! Go Chiefs!\"", 1, "2026-04-25T05:38:36Z", "2026-04-25T05:40:21Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=985E345A-876F-43F0-8209-35ECE6E48A7C", "Sen. Moran Visits All 105 Kansas Counties in 2025", "2025-12-22", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "MANHATTAN, KS \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) released the following statement after visiting Wabaunsee County, completing visits to all 105 Kansas counties in 2025:\n\n\u201cVisiting each of the 105 counties in Kansas and having conversations with Kansans during these stops helps guide my efforts to represent our state in Washington, D.C. This year, I focused on visiting rural hospitals and was able to meet with nurses and doctors at 49 Kansas hospitals and hear directly from them about the unique challenges of delivering essential care in rural communities. Whether touring a hospital, speaking with veterans, stopping at local businesses or family farms, meeting students, or participating in civic groups, I appreciate Kansans sharing with me the challenges they are facing and their ideas to improve life in our state. I\u2019m grateful for the kindness and hospitality shown to me during these visits, and I look forward to future opportunities to meet with and learn from those in communities in every corner of Kansas.\u201d\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mann-introduces-bill-leverage-predictive-analytics-modernize-roadway", "Rep. Mann Introduces Bill to Leverage Predictive Analytics to Modernize Roadway Safety", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Tracey Mann", "M000871", "mann.house.gov", "mann", "https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01) and Sharice Davids (KS-03) introduced the Roadway Safety Modernization Act, legislation to improve roadway safety and strengthen America\u2019s supply chain by expanding eligibility for the Highway Safety Improvement Program, National Highway Freight Program, and the National Priority Safety Program. The bill aims to use predictive analytics, data-driven interventions and the adoption of innovative safety technologies to proactively identify and address transportation safety issues.\n\n\u201cFor too long, our transportation network has relied on systems to evaluate road safety after tragic accidents happen,\u201d said Rep. Mann. \u201cThe Roadway Safety Modernization Act allows states and local communities to take a proactive, not reactive, posture by leveraging modern, data-driven tools to spot risks early on and make our roads safer. This is a practical, commonsense way to improve roadway safety, protect families, and strengthen the reliability of our transportation network without an additional dollar of federal spending.\u201d\n\n\u201cToo many families know the heartbreak that comes after a crash, and too often our transportation system only reacts once tragedy has already happened,\" said Rep. Davids. \"This bipartisan bill helps states use better data and modern technology to identify dangerous roadways before lives are lost. I\u2019m grateful to work alongside Representative Mann on this commonsense effort to protect families and make sure people and goods can move safely and reliably across our country.\u201d\n\nThe Roadway Safety Modernization Act would improve roadway safety by:\n\nModernizing America\u2019s Federal-Aid Highway Safety Programs by incorporating new tools and systems, including predictive analysis platforms, telematics, and other proven methodologies to address safety risks proactively.\n\nPromoting Better Accountability, Transparency and Measurable Performance by directing the Secretary of Transportation to ensure that states maximize the efficacy of new safety investments and interventions.\n\nProtecting Consumer Data Privacy by ensuring tools and platforms rely on validated methods that protect personally identifiable information while leveraging insightful, anonymized data.\n\nThe Roadway Safety Modernization Act is supported by the Modern Analytics for Roadway Safety Coalition, the Safe Routes Partnership, the National Safety Council, the Kiefer Foundation, the Governors Highway Safety Association, the Association of Transportation Safety Information Professionals, StopDistractions.org, and BikeWalkKC.\n\n\u201cThe Roadway Safety Modernization Act represents the paradigm shift we\u2019ve been waiting for\u2014turning our reactive transportation system into a proactive one,\u201d said Andrew Rogers, Executive Director of the Modern Analytics for Roadway Safety (MARS) Coalition. \u201cBy using data analytics and AI to see risk before it becomes loss, this legislation gives communities the tools to make their roads smarter and safer for everyone.\u201d\n\n\u201cSafe Routes Partnership applauds Senators Boozman and Padilla and Representatives Mann and Davids for introducing the bipartisan Roadway Safety Modernization Act,\u201d said Marisa Jones, Managing Director of the Safe Routes Partnership. \u201cSafe Routes to School is an evidence-based strategy proven to reduce roadway injuries and fatalities, and this legislation brings that same data-driven approach into the next generation. By enabling communities to use AI-powered predictive risk technology to identify and prevent crashes before they occur, Congress can help ensure every child can walk, bike, and roll to school safely. We\u2019re proud to support forward-thinking solutions that will make school zones and neighborhoods safer nationwide.\u201d\n\n\"The National Safety Council commends the efforts of Senators Boozman and Padilla and Reps. Mann and Davids to address the daily tragedy of death and serious injury on our roadways,\" said Lorraine Martin, CEO of the National Safety Council. \"By harnessing the power of technology, including lifesaving telematics, the Roadway Safety Modernization Act will enable states to prevent devastating traffic crashes through data-driven driver intervention programs and improved infrastructure design.\"\n\n\u201cThe Kiefer Foundation applauds Senators Boozman and Padilla and Reps. Mann and Davids for their leadership in prioritizing roadway safety,\u201d said Melissa Hamrick, Executive Director of The Kiefer Foundation. \u201cBy enabling policymakers and transportation decision-makers to take a proactive, data-driven approach to road design by leveraging technologies such as telematics, analytics, and artificial intelligence, the Roadway Safety Modernization Act is a major step towards ending distracted driving and other associated traffic deaths that impact thousands of families nationwide. The passage of this bill is essential to making America\u2019s roads safer.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Governors Highway Safety Association strongly supports the Roadway Safety Modernization Act, which will help states harness the power of advanced data analytics to save lives,\" said Jonathan Adkins, Chief Executive Officer, GHSA. \"By modernizing how we collect, share, and analyze crash and roadway data, this legislation would empower state highway safety offices to better identify risk factors, target resources, and implement evidence-based strategies that prevent crashes and reduce serious injuries on our nation\u2019s roads.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Association of Transportation Safety Information Professionals (ATSIP) recognizes the need for the introduction of the bipartisan Roadway Safety Modernization Act \u2013 a major step forward in adopting a proactive, data-driven approach to roadway planning,\u201d said Tara Casanova Powell, Chief Executive Officer of ATSIP. \u201cBy equipping transportation decision-makers with predictive technologies, insightful tools, and anonymized data, states can utilize these novel data systems in conjunction with traditional traffic records data to pave the way for safer, smarter roads.\u201d\n\n\u201cStopDistractions.org is proud to support the Roadway Safety Modernization Act of 2025 as a critical step toward a smarter, safer future on our roads,\" said Jennifer Smith, CEO, StopDistractions.org. \"As a coalition led by families who\u2019ve suffered unimaginable loss due to distracted driving, we know firsthand the urgent need to move from reactive to proactive safety strategies. This bill recognizes that innovation and compassion can coexist by empowering agencies to use real-time data, predictive analytics, and AI technologies to identify and address risk before tragedies occur. We urge Congress to advance this bold, bipartisan legislation without delay.\u201d\n\n\u201cBy equipping transportation decision-makers with modern tools, the Roadway Safety Modernization Act will enable Greater Kansas City and communities nationwide to proactively design safer streets, sidewalks, and bike paths\u2013preventing crashes before they happen,\u201d said Eric Rogers, Executive Director, BikeWalkKC. \u201cThis forward-thinking initiative will make travel safer for everyone, regardless of their mode of transportation. BikeWalkKC applauds the leadership of Senators Boozman and Padilla and Representatives Mann and Davids for introducing this smart bipartisan legislation.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-05-14T06:11:37Z", "2026-05-14T06:12:56Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=3613699E-B324-42B4-B51A-5EC91ADDED38", "Sen. Moran Applauds Confirmation of Ryan Kriegshauser as U.S. Attorney for Kansas", "2025-12-19", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today released the following statement applauding the Senate\u2019s confirmation of Ryan Kriegshauser to be the United States Attorney for the District of Kansas:\n\n\u201cCongratulations to Ryan Kriegshauser on his confirmation by the U.S. Senate to serve as United States Attorney for Kansas. Throughout his career, Ryan has demonstrated a strong commitment to public service, the rule of law and the pursuit of justice. He cares deeply about the safety and well-being of Kansans. As a former intern for me, I know him to be someone with the character and integrity needed to carry out the duties of this role. I look forward to working with him to support law enforcement and keep our communities safe. I am grateful for Ryan\u2019s willingness to serve our state and country and wish him every success in this role.\u201d\n\nMr. Kriegshauser has served as interim U.S. Attorney for Kansas since Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed him in July. When his initial 120-day appointment expired, Chief U.S. District Court Judge John Broomes, on behalf of the Court, appointed Mr. Kriegshauser to serve in the position indefinitely while his nomination was pending before the Senate.\n\nPrior to his appointment, Mr. Kriegshauser worked in private practice after serving in the Kansas Secretary of State\u2019s Office as Deputy Secretary of State of the Office of Legal Counsel and Policy, and prior to that, as General Counsel in the Office of the Kansas Securities Commissioner. Mr. Kriegshauser holds a bachelor's degree from Georgetown University and law degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City. A Navy veteran of Afghanistan, he currently serves as an officer in the Navy Reserve.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases/congress-passes-schmidt-backed-public-safety-bills", "Congress Passes Schmidt-backed Public Safety Bills", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Derek Schmidt", "S001228", "schmidt.house.gov", "schmidt", "https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 (December 18, 2025) \u2013 Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) today announced three public-safety bills he cosponsored have passed Congress and are expected to become law.\n\n\u201cPublic safety is a core function of government,\u201d Schmidt said. \u201cI\u2019ve joined in cosponsoring these three public safety bills to better protect children and to support law enforcement officers and firefighters, and I appreciate Congress approving all three and sending them to President Trump to be signed into law.\u201d\n\nThe three Schmidt-backed public safety bills approved this week are:\n\nProtect Our Children Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R. 1274) reauthorizes and strengthens the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program. This legislation authorizes increased funding for ICACs and updates the national strategy to prevent child exploitation and strengthen ICAC task forces.\n\nChief Herbert D. Proffitt Act of 2025 (H.R. 1236) expands the Public Safety Officers\u2019 Benefits program to include retired officers who are killed or permanently disabled in targeted attacks due to their prior service.\n\nHonoring Our Fallen Heroes Act (H.R. 1269) ensures the death or permanent disability of a public safety officer due to an exposure-related cancer is presumed a personal injury sustained in the line of duty under the Public Service Officer Benefits program if certain conditions are met.", 1, "2026-04-21T05:46:59Z", "2026-04-21T05:48:34Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=1F0095CA-AA5A-4BC7-8DFB-570E9B1D2994", "Sen. Moran Leads Hearing to Review FAA ATC Modernization Plan", "2025-12-18", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) \u2013 chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation \u2013 yesterday led a hearing with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Bryan Bedford on the FAA\u2019s air traffic control (ATC) modernization plan. Congress provided $12.5 billion for ATC modernization in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and the Department of Transportation recently announced the selection of Peraton as the Prime Integrator, which functions as the project manager for integrating the new ATC system.\n\n\u201cOn January 29th, American Airlines Flight 5342, traveling from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C., collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, seconds before its scheduled landing at Reagan Washington National Airport, killing 67 people,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cThis tragic accident has forced Congress and the FAA to reckon with no longer just sustaining our air traffic control system but actually taking steps to modernize it.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn July, this Congress provided $12.5 billion as a down payment toward ATC modernization,\u201d continued Sen. Moran. \u201cThese funds were authorized for technology upgrades, new ATC facilities, runway and surface safety systems, advanced training and workforce capabilities, and other resources that build upon last year\u2019s reauthorization. The FAA has made meaningful steps toward modernization. However, there is much, still, to do. Mr. Bedford, this committee has and will continue to rely on your agency to be a proactive and responsive partner in these efforts.\u201d\n\nClick HERE to Watch Sen. Moran\u2019s Opening Remarks\n\nSen. Moran\u2019s full remarks as delivered:\n\n\u201cAdministrator Bedford \u2013 thank you for joining us today to discuss the Federal Aviation Administration\u2019s plan to modernize America\u2019s Air Traffic Control system.\n\n\u201cOn January 29th, American Airlines Flight 5342, traveling from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C., collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, seconds before its scheduled landing at Reagan Washington National Airport, killing 67 people. This tragic accident has forced Congress and the FAA to reckon with no longer just sustaining our air traffic control system but actually taking steps to modernize it.\n\n\u201cI would like to acknowledge the families of the victims of this horrific tragedy that have joined us for today\u2019s hearing. Thank you for your tireless advocacy on behalf of your loved ones.\n\n\u201cWhile Congress and the public await the findings of the National Transportation Safety Board\u2019s investigation into the midair collision, we are here today to continue the long overdue work of modernizing American airspace.\n\n\u201cLast year, Congress passed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which includes requirements to increase controller hiring, modernize ground-based infrastructure, and provides for improved air safety data and cybersecurity standards.\n\n\u201cIn July, this Congress provided $12.5 billion as a \u2018down payment\u2019 toward ATC modernization. These funds were authorized for technology upgrades, new ATC facilities, runway and surface safety systems, advanced training and workforce capabilities, and other resources that build upon last year\u2019s reauthorization. Weeks after Reconciliation was signed into law, the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, of which I sit, unanimously approved providing FAA $5 billion \u2013 a record amount \u2013 to continue its efforts to modernize air traffic control.\n\n\u201cEarlier in the summer, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy announced an ambitious overhaul of America\u2019s ATC system. The scale and scope of this comprehensive modernization is enormous. It has and will continue to require an industry-wide mobilization and public-private partnerships to manage modernization on expedited timelines. To that end, Secretary Duffy and the FAA recently announced a Prime Integrator to manage the \u201cBrand New Air Traffic Control System\u201d project \u2013 Peraton, a technology and national security firm.\n\n\u201cToday, we will hear from Mr. Bedford about progress the FAA has made toward modernization, including how initial funds authorized by this Congress in July have been used, additional resources the FAA needs to execute its modernization goals, and how Peraton will fit into enhancing the safety of national airspace.\n\n\u201cThe FAA has made meaningful steps toward modernization. However, there is much, still, to do. Mr. Bedford, this committee has and will continue to rely on your agency to be a proactive and responsive partner in these efforts.\n\n\u201cModernization is more than the replacement of physical or digital infrastructure: it also requires modernizing the statutes, rules, and regulations that govern the airspace to enable greater innovation and success. Following the deadly midair collision on January 29th, I introduced legislation to require military aircraft operating in congested airspace to install and use ADS-B In and Out, position broadcast technologies that are critical to keeping our skies safe. Soon after, this committee approved legislation \u2013 the ROTOR Act \u2013 to close gaps in air safety.\n\n\u201cLast week, I joined Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell and the Ranking Member of this Subcommittee, Sen. Duckworth, in calling on Congress to amend the National Defense Authorization Act to remove language that could reverse updates to air safety standards made in response to the NTSB\u2019s urgent safety recommendations.\n\n\u201cI have also introduced an amendment to the NDAA that does two things: 1) require military aircraft to operate with ADS-B Out, and 2) prohibits service secretaries from delegating waiver authority. This effort is backstop if we cannot move the ROTOR Act across the finish line. I remain committed to working with the Chair and Ranking Member in accomplishing that.\n\n\u201cI remain fully committed to addressing this issue, changing the law, as it is currently written, and implementing the recommendations of the NTSB following the release of their final report.\n\n\u201cAdministrator Bedford, I look forward to discussing airspace modernization but also discussing what the FAA is doing right now to keep our skies safe, particularly in light of a near-miss incident between an Air Force refueling aircraft and a JetBlue commercial flight over the Caribbean Sea on Friday.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-derek-schmidt-passage-annual-defense-bill-secures-key-peace-through", "Rep. Derek Schmidt: Passage of Annual Defense Bill Secures Key \u2018Peace through Strength\u2019 Initiatives for Kansas", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Derek Schmidt", "S001228", "schmidt.house.gov", "schmidt", "https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 (December 17, 2025) \u2013 Several priorities important to Kansas are included in the final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 (S. 1071) that today received final approval from Congress and is headed to the President for his signature, Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) said.\n\n\u201cCongress must ensure America\u2019s Armed Forces are well-equipped with the tools necessary to keep our country safe,\u201d Schmidt said. \u201cI was pleased to join my House and Senate colleagues in supporting this year\u2019s NDAA to maintain the Trump Administration\u2019s peace through strength agenda and support our servicemembers.\u201d\n\nThe final version of the bill, which passed the House last week on a 312-112 bipartisan vote and a 77-20 bipartisan vote today in the Senate, includes H.R. 5977, a bill Schmidt introduced to streamline the process for small businesses to become suppliers for the Pentagon. That measure became part of a broader effort to cut red tape so smaller, innovative companies can help supply America\u2019s defense needs.\n\nThe bill also includes H.R. 6595, a bill led by Schmidt and Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) to improve veterans\u2019 access to healthcare and protect against downsizing of Department of Defense medical facilities, including Irwin Army Community Hospital at Fort Riley. Schmidt also helped lead H.R. 6745, a bipartisan bill in the NDAA to improve retention of quality Army and Air Force National Guard officers by eliminating a penalty for breaks in service.\n\nOther provisions important for Kansas that Schmidt supported in the final NDAA include:\n\nAuthorizing a 3.8% pay raise for military personnel;\n\nAuthorizing more than $490 million to design and build new childcare centers;\n\nImproving assistance to service members and families receiving orders to relocate;\n\nPreventing cancellation of the Air Force\u2019s E-7 Wedgetail aircraft acquisition, protecting Kansas jobs;\n\nIncreasing the number of air refueling tankers over time to remain capable and ready;\n\nLimiting the Pentagon\u2019s ability to further reduce U.S. force posture in Europe;\n\nEstablishing more test corridors for hypersonic and long-range weapons; and\n\nEstablishing an Advanced Nuclear Transition Working Group to coordinate the deployment of advanced nuclear technologies on military installations.\n\n\u201cI sought a seat on the House Armed Services Committee to strengthen our ability to advocate for America\u2019s military strength, the needs of our Kansas military communities, and the thousands of Kansans in our Second Congressional District who serve in the Armed Forces or support those who do,\u201d Schmidt said. \u201cIn that role, I\u2019m working toward those priorities and am encouraged by the progress we made this year.\u201d\n\nDuring House Armed Services Committee consideration of the NDAA earlier this year, Schmidt also secured a directive that the National Simulation Center at Ft. Leavenworth remain in operation.\n\nThe Second District of Kansas is home to numerous military interests including the U.S. Army\u2019s 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, the U.S. Army\u2019s Combined Arms Center and 35th Infantry Division at Fort Leavenworth, the 190th Air Refueling Wing of the Kansas National Guard at Forbes Field in Topeka, and both the Kansas Army National Guard and Kansas Air National Guard Headquarters with authority over nearly 7,000 Kansas soldiers and airmen. It also is home to many private-sector businesses that manufacture products used by the military and employ thousands of Kansans.", 1, "2026-04-15T05:46:42Z", "2026-04-15T05:48:27Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=01AAC1A8-E581-4E82-89F6-A113EEB44441", "PASSED: Sens. Moran, Cruz\u2019s ROTOR Act to Improve Aviation Safety Standards After DCA Tragedy", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "Sen. Moran\u2019s full remarks as delivered:\n\n\u201cSenator Cruz \u2013 the gentleman from Texas \u2013 and Senator Cantwell \u2013 the gentlewoman from Washington state \u2013 thank you very much for the opportunity to join with you today and throughout a long process since January, the 29th, earlier this year.\n\n\u201cThat flight \u2013 Flight 5342 \u2013 originated in Wichita, Kansas, and as we know, on January 29th, it collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter. And it changed the way we look at air safety every moment since then.\n\n\u201cAnd I appreciate the leadership of my two colleagues on the full committee \u2013 as well as Senator Duckworth, my colleague on the subcommittee on aviation \u2013 to make certain that we take all the steps necessary to make certain that the families who remind us today, and almost every day since January the 29th, about the importance of making the skies of the United States safe for those who fly today and in the future.\n\n\u201cThere\u2019s numerous, numerous circumstances that led to this horrific incident, and NTSB\u2019s critical investigation into this collision is continuing. While NTSB\u2019s final recommendations have not yet been released, the Chair of NTSB, Jennifer Homendy, took the unprecedented step of publicly stating the National Defense Authorization Act does not adequately address the safety concerns surrounding the mixed airspace at DCA.\n\n\u201cAnd while NDAA is critical to bolstering our defense capabilities, I have major concerns with the portion of the bill that is being fixed by the efforts today here on the Senate floor with this unanimous consent request.\n\n\u201cAfter numerous conversations with my colleagues, Senator Cruz and Senator Cantwell, we secured an agreement from the Senate leadership \u2013 and I thank that Senate leadership, Senator Thune \u2013 for an amended version of the ROTOR Act, that it be quickly brought to the Senate floor for consideration to reinstate the advanced critical standards of safety for commercial and military aviation. We\u2019re doing that right now.\n\n\u201cThe ROTOR Act closes the loopholes that have been described by my colleagues; it strengthens ADS-B requirements for commercial and military aircraft, among many other things. It requires a safety review of DCA and requires better coordination and information sharing between FAA and DoD.\n\n\u201cI commend the FAA Administrator for his commitment, and particularly Secretary Duffy, for their combined commitment to air safety. In fact, when we conclude this effort here on the Senate floor, our committee is in session \u2013 our subcommittee is in session \u2013 with Administrator Bedford, the FAA Administrator, to review what other steps are being taken across the country for a safe airspace at every airport. We are bringing technology to bear that has been only talked about in the past and is now being accomplished.\n\n\u201cOur aviation system is fragile, and over the last year, Congress has passed significant legislation investing in that airspace to increase the safety and to make sure that all who fly can be and are safe and feel safe.\n\n\u201cNow is not the time to take any steps backwards, and that\u2019s what we were worried, concerned about, that the NDAA provision does. While Congress works to ensure in law the safety of our airspace, our DOT and FAA leaders are committed to abide by current safety standards, maintaining that safety at the DCA airspace.\n\n\u201cAs both have said, more work to be done, but it\u2019s a pretty good day to be taking the steps we\u2019re taking and knowing that more is to come in honor of those who perished on January 29th, from Kansas, across the country and around the world.\u201d\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=7C6C36B9-E27B-4FD9-BD70-68150A538DFE", "Sen. Moran Applauds Passage of Annual Defense Legislation, Secures Kansas Priorities", "2025-12-17", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "Moran voted to support the legislation with the agreement the Senate quickly takes up the ROTOR Act\n\nWASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) \u2013 chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation \u2013 today released the following statement after voting to pass the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which now heads to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law. Sen. Moran and his colleagues secured a commitment from Senate leadership to quickly bring the Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act to the Senate floor to advance aviation safety standards, particularly for military helicopters operating in mixed airspace.\n\n\u201cEach year, Congress is tasked with passing the National Defense Authorization Act to make certain our servicemembers are equipped with the resources needed to fulfill their critical mission of defending our nation,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cWhile this legislation is critical to bolstering our defense capabilities, I have major concerns with portions of the bill that could undo safety regulations for military helicopters put in place after the January 29th midair collision near DCA. After numerous conversations, my colleagues and I secured an agreement from Senate leadership that the ROTOR Act will quickly be brought to the Senate floor to reinstate and advance critical safety standards for commercial and military aviation.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith this agreement, I voted to pass the FY2026 NDAA which will strengthen Kansas\u2019 defense capabilities, invest in our military readiness and improve the quality of life for the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces,\u201d continued Sen. Moran. \u201cThe NDAA also authorizes a well-deserved pay increase for our servicemembers and includes my provision that will help strengthen access to medical care for our nation\u2019s heroes through greater utilization of military hospitals like Irwin Army Community Hospital at Fort Riley.\u201d\n\nSens. Moran and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced the ROTOR Act to improve aviation safety in response to the tragic midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter that claimed 67 lives on January 29th near Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA). The legislation passed the Senate Commerce Committee on October 21st.\n\nSen. Moran\u2019s priorities included in the FY26 NDAA:\n\nExpands Access to Medical Care for Veterans \u2013 Supports Defense Health Agency (DHA) military medical treatment facilities (MTF), such as Irwin Army Community Hospital at Fort Riley, by requiring that DHA and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) create action plans to support greater utilization of military hospitals by veterans and servicemembers.\n\nAuthorizes New Investments for Fort Riley\u2013 Authorizes $26 million to build a new Air Traffic Control tower, $13 million to build an Infantry Platoon Battle Course and $16 million to design a new unaccompanied barracks.\n\nHelps Prevent Fires on Navy Ships During Maintenance \u2013 Directs the Secretary of the Navy to evaluate flameless alternative technologies for ship maintenance, including press connect fittings, which Viega, based in McPherson, specializes in manufacturing, to combat a growing problem of Navy ships catching fire during repairs.\n\nGives Troops a Pay Raise \u2013 Provides a 3.8 percent pay raise for servicemembers.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=D5EAE740-B77F-4B63-AF06-016380D4315D", "Sen. Moran to Hold Hearing on FAA\u2019s ATC Modernization Plan", "2025-12-16", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) \u2013 chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation \u2013 today announced he will hold a hearing to review the Federal Aviation Administration\u2019s (FAA) air traffic control (ATC) modernization plan, focusing on the progress of the new ATC system following the selection of Peraton as the Prime Integrator, which will function as the project manager. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, December 17th, at 2:30 p.m. ET.\n\n\u201cOur air traffic control system is in need of modernization, and Congress made a major investment in improving the system earlier this year and is working to continue investing in this effort through annual appropriations,\u201d said Chairman Moran. \u201cI look forward to hearing from Administrator Bedford on next steps to implement a new air traffic control system, including the role of the recently announced Prime Integrator Peraton, additional resources needed and the current state of aviation safety.\u201d\n\nWitnesses:\n\nAdministrator Bryan Bedford, Federal Aviation Administration\n\nHearing Details:\n\nWHAT: Subcommittee Hearing titled \u201cFAA\u2019s Plan for ATC Modernization: Evaluating Progress, Ensuring Accountability and Results\u201d\n\nWHEN: Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. ET\n\nLOCATION: Commerce Committee Hearing Room, Russell Senate Office Building, Room 253\n\nLIVESTREAM: The hearing will be livestreamed on the Senate Commerce Committee website and YouTube.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7289", "Congressman Estes Announces Staff Changes", "2025-12-15", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Representative Ron Estes (R-Kansas) has hired Natalie Turner as Communications Director to replace Roman Rodriguez, who is now District Director and Senior Communications Advisor. Rodriguez took over the position on May 1. He has been in a communications role with Rep. Estes since October 2017, working out of his Wichita district office.\n\nTurner is a Kansas native who recently served as a Public Affairs Specialist with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and before that as Deputy Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas). In this new capacity as Communications Director, she will be based out of Rep. Estes\u2019 D.C. office.\n\n\u201cI\u2019m excited about these staff changes on our team and look forward to Team Estes\u2019 collaboration to continue working to deliver results for Kansans across the entire 4th District,\u201d Congressman Estes said.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7290", "Congressman Estes Reintroduces CBO Reform Bill", "2025-12-15", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Last week, U.S. Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) reintroduced the Executive Action Cost Transparency Act. This bill would mandate that the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) provide a comprehensive and centralized list of final administrative actions in order to increase transparency and streamline information flow, providing lawmakers with needed information on spending. This would include proposed rules, final rules, executive orders, memoranda, and judicial actions since the last baseline and would further require CBO to provide updated estimates for scores that meet a threshold of $50 billion over 10 years.\n\nThis common sense reform would ensure that the CBO, the designated scorekeepers of legislation, provide lawmakers with accurate and timely information on the spending of the executive branch, regardless of who is in the White House.\n\n\u201cThis common sense legislation takes steps to change course on the debt crisis that no American taxpayer wants to see from the federal government. Providing transparency on these costs is what the American people deserve,\u201d Rep. Estes said. \u201cImproving the information that CBO provides to Congress and the public is one crucial step that will help ensure we know the true cost of D.C. spending.\u201d\n\nCongress has a duty to ensure the CBO is fulfilling its mission of providing lawmakers with accurate and timely information and analysis on legislation and the economy.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=3EFD41D4-5C44-4BF3-B939-C40FC6D6DF35", "Sens. Moran, Slotkin Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Launch Task Force to Identify & Combat Cryptocurrency Fraud", "2025-12-12", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) introduced the Strengthening Agency Frameworks for Enforcement of Cryptocurrency (SAFE Crypto) Act, bipartisan legislation that would establish an inter-governmental task force between federal agencies and the private sector to coordinate identifying and combating cryptocurrency fraud. The task force would be required to present an update within a year of its launch to the Senate Banking and Agriculture committees and the House Financial Services and Agriculture committees, followed by annual reports to the respective committees.\n\n\u201cWith fraud and other payment scams continuing to grow, protecting the financial security and well-being of Kansans is critical,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cOur legislation would establish a task force to strengthen coordination between government agencies, law enforcement and the financial services industry as they work together to identify and combat cryptocurrency fraud. As cryptocurrency becomes more widely used, this legislation would help counter threats and make certain all Americans are better protected from crypto scams.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s critical we protect Americans against scams in all industries, but especially cryptocurrency as it becomes more popular,\u201d said Sen. Slotkin. \u201cIt starts with equipping local law enforcement with tools they need to combat crypto scams, and ensuring Michiganders know how to protect themselves and their money. This task force, established by the SAFE Cryptocurrency Act, will allow us to draw upon every resource we have to combat fraud in digital assets.\u201d\n\n\u201cOver the last two years, we\u2019ve tracked billions in scams and fraud across the crypto ecosystem,\u201d said Ari Redbord, Vice President, Global Head of Policy, TRM Labs. \u201cSolving this problem requires real-time disruption. This legislation enables public-private collaboration using blockchain intelligence to track, interdict, and disrupt illicit networks as activity is occurring \u2014 helping protect victims and ensure a safer financial system. By bringing industry and law enforcement together, we can meaningfully reduce criminals\u2019 ability to exploit transformative technologies for harm.\"\n\nMembers of the task force would include:\n\nThe following federal agencies, including the Department of Treasury as the chair of the task force (or a designee thereof): the Office of the Attorney General; the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN); the Secret Service; and any additional federal agency that the Department of Treasury, in consultation with the task force, deems relevant.\n\nThe following industry groups: including stablecoin issuers; cryptocurrency exchanges; cryptocurrency custodians; blockchain intelligence providers; a representative of scam victims or consumer protection groups; and any additional private sector stakeholder that the Department of Treasury, in consultation with the task force, deems relevant.\n\nRepresentatives of federal, state and local law enforcement.\n\nRepresentatives of one or more state bank regulatory authorities.\n\nFull text of the SAFE Crypto Act can be found HERE.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7282", "Congressman Estes Publishes Op-Ed on Rural Healthcare", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Yesterday, Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) published an op-ed in The Washington Times discussing air ambulances and the lifesaving impacts it makes on rural health care.\n\nYou may scroll below to see excerpts from the op-ed. You may click HERE or on the image above to read the full op-ed.\n\n\u201cLiving in rural America comes with great benefits \u2013 a simpler way of life in picturesque countrysides where neighbors can be miles away physically but deeply close personally.\n\n\u201cIt also means more miles between conveniences.\u201d\n\n\u201cGrowing up on my family farm in rural Kansas where my mom still lives today, we were just a few miles outside our town of 2,500, but we were 40 miles from the big city of Topeka, which back then had a population just shy of 80,000.\u201d\n\n\u201cAir ambulances have been providing lifesaving services for decades. I\u2019ve visited with the pilots and EMTs; they are dedicated professionals who fly into sometimes dangerous situations to give emergency treatment and transport our friends and neighbors to doctors and nurses tens or hundreds of miles away.\u201d\n\n\u201cAnd it\u2019s not just for folks living in rural parts of the country, but those traveling through those regions as well. One pilot shared with me a story involving a bad accident in rural Kansas. It was dark, and the air ambulance had to land near power lines. The pilot and flight medics took a risk to save the life of someone badly injured driving through our state, and those selfless men and women are ready to do it again today.\u201d\n\n\u201cEnsuring that this critical service is available to all Americans is why I reintroduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation the Protecting Air Ambulance Services for Americans Act.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhile the medical tools and aircraft have all advanced over the years, the Medicare reimbursement rate has not changed since the fee schedule was established in 2002, leaving some air ambulances running in the red. And with nearly 40% of all air medical transports being Medicare patients, it\u2019s easy to see why the reimbursement must reflect today\u2019s realities. Sadly, this and other factors have forced closures across the country.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mann-celebrates-four-big-first-high-school-championships-football", "Rep. Mann\u00a0Celebrates Four Big First High School Championships in Football", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Tracey Mann", "M000871", "mann.house.gov", "mann", "https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to celebrate four high schools in the Big First who won state championships in football for the 2025 season. Hanover High School, Manhattan High School, Salina Central High School, and Sterling High School brought home state championships in the 8-man division II, 6A, 5A, and 1A divisions.\n\nRep. Mann\u2019s Remarks as Prepared:\n\nMr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize four remarkable high school football programs from the Big First District that brought home state championships this season. In Kansas, high school football is more than a sport. It teaches discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and the importance of community. More importantly, it connects us all through a common good while making memories that will last a lifetime.\n\nAs a kid from Western Kansas, I grew up listening to K-State football on the radio. Like so many young people across our state, those Saturday broadcasts shaped my love of the game. I later had the privilege of playing on a state championship team myself at Quinter High School, and I remember the feeling of being a part of something bigger than myself. That is what these young men experienced this season.\n\nThis year, four schools from the Big First reached the top of their divisions. In 6A, Manhattan High School claimed the title with a decisive 27 to 0 win over Olathe Northwest. Their players, coaches, and staff worked hard all season to earn an achievement that will be remembered in the Manhattan community forever.\n\nIn 5A, my hometown of Salina is celebrating a very special moment. The Salina Central Mustangs brought home the state championship with a 51 to 34 victory over Basehor-Linwood. For the students, families, and alumni who have longed for another state championship for the last 20 years, congratulations on bringing your title home. You all deserve it, and we are all so proud!\n\nIn the 1A division, Sterling football defeated Rossville 35 to 34 in one of the closest and most competitive games of the season. Games like this reflect the best of high school athletics: determination, sportsmanship, and communities rallying behind their teams.\n\nAnd in 8-man Division II, Hanover earned a 28 to 20 win over Victoria to secure another championship for their school. Eight-man football has deep roots in rural Kansas, and Hanover\u2019s success highlights the strength of programs that represent some of our smallest but proudest communities.\n\nMr. Speaker, four state championships in one year from schools in the Big First District is quite an accomplishment. I would be remiss if I didn\u2019t acknowledge the strong communities, dedicated coaches, supportive families, and student-athletes who put in the work day after day to bring these championships home.\n\nI ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating these young men, their schools, and their hometowns. They have represented Kansas with pride, and they have bright futures ahead.", 1, "2026-04-21T05:46:59Z", "2026-04-21T05:48:34Z"], ["https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-mann-flood-davids-and-carter-introduce-bipartisan-bill-boost-sustainable", "Reps. Mann, Flood, Davids, and Carter Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Boost Sustainable Aviation, Support Farmers, Grow American Jobs", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Tracey Mann", "M000871", "mann.house.gov", "mann", "https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01), Mike Flood (NE-01), Sharice Davids (KS-03), and Troy Carter (LA-02) introduced the Securing America\u2019s Fuels (SAF) Act, bipartisan legislation that strengthens the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry, creates economic opportunities for farmers, and reduces emissions in the transportation sector.\n\n\u201cSustainable aviation fuel is a worthwhile investment for American agriculture and for American energy dominance,\u201d said Rep. Mann. \u201cThe Securing America\u2019s Fuels Act gives Kansas farmers the certainty they need to plan, invest, and keep supplying fuel to the country and our aviation sector. I will always support legislation that supports rural communities and helps the United States continue to lead the world in producing the fuels of tomorrow.\u201d\n\n\u201cAmerica is on the cusp of the next great biofuels revolution,\u201d said Rep Flood. \u201cThe Securing America\u2019s Fuels Act is yet another way Congress can grow our bio economy and encourage innovation that creates great jobs across rural America. Sustainable aviation fuel will help lower emissions while expanding domestic markets for our nation\u2019s farmers, ensuring that our ag economy thrives for generations to come. I want to thank Congresswoman Davids for introducing this much-needed bill and look forward to working together to advance this commonsense, bipartisan bill through Congress.\u201d\n\n\u201cInvesting in sustainable aviation fuel isn\u2019t just good for the environment \u2014 it\u2019s good for Kansas farmers, our communities, and our economy,\u201d said Rep.Davids. \u201cThe SAF Act ensures that clean fuel production incentives are strong and long-term so businesses, farmers, and innovators can plan for the future with confidence. The bipartisan support shows the incredible potential we have to build a healthier, stronger, and more prosperous future for generations to come.\u201d\n\n\"Without coordinated action between government and industry, greenhouse gas emissions will continue to increase as more people and goods fly through our skies,\u201d said Rep Carter. \u201cSustainable aviation fuel is an exciting, new green fuel that\u2019s creating jobs in Louisiana and driving demand for American agricultural products. I\u2019m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to ensure America is on track to meet the growing demand for cleaner transportation and healthier communities.\u201d\n\nThe sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry currently relies on the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit to make production economically viable. While recent legislation extended the credit for all clean fuels, it eliminated the SAF-specific bonus. To address this challenge, the SAF Act would:\n\nReinstate the SAF bonus credit eliminated under the recent federal budget, allowing qualifying SAF producers to receive up to $0.35 or $1.75 per gallon.\n\nExtend the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit for all clean fuels through 2033, providing long-term stability for the growing clean fuels industry.\n\nSAF is a game-changer for local communities, agriculture, and the transportation industry. Scaling SAF to meet U.S. goals could generate 33,000 construction jobs over five years, sustain 4,500 permanent operations jobs, and support 60,000 jobs in agriculture and logistics by 2030. SAF can also reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80 percent, delivering major environmental benefits while using existing aviation infrastructure.\n\nThe bipartisan legislation is endorsed by major industry and agricultural groups, including National Corn Growers Association, SAF Coalition, Airlines for America, Kansas Farm Bureau, Renew Kansas, Kansas Corn, Kansas Soybean Association, Greater New Orleans Inc., Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Nebraska Soybean Association, Nebraska Farm Bureau, Twelve, Darling Ingredients, Louisiana Farm Bureau Foundation, Advanced Biofuels Association, Global Business Travel Association, and American Sugarcane League.\n\n\u201cDelta applauds Reps. Flood, Davids, Mann, and Carter for their leadership in introducing the Securing America's Fuels Act, which will ensure 45Z reaches its full potential and provides the critical investment certainty necessary to bring additional SAF production facilities online to meet our industry's unprecedented demand for cost-competitive, homegrown fuels,\" said Cherie Wilson, Vice President, Government Affairs - Sustainability, Delta Air Lines.\n\n\u201cU.S. airlines are grateful to Representatives Flood, Davids, Carter, and Mann for introducing legislation that would restore and extend the full 45Z tax credit,\u201d said Airlines for America. \u201cThis will stimulate private sector investment in SAF while also bolstering American energy dominance. This credit is a win-win for both the aviation and agriculture industries, supporting U.S. job growth across the country.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Clean Fuel Production Credit is an extremely valuable economic support policy for the rural economy, and we are pleased to see Kansas taking the lead in extending and expanding it,\u201d said Kaleb Little, Kansas Soybean Association CEO. \u201cWe thank Representative Davids and Representative Mann for co-sponsoring this bi-partisan legislation. Biomass-based diesel production supports approximately 10 percent of the value of every bushel of soybeans grown in the United States, or an additional $149 million for Kansas farmers in 2024. Farmers and fuel producers have made tremendous investments to build a biodiesel, renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel industry that can help meet America\u2019s energy needs.\u201d\n\n###\n\nFor more information on Rep. Mann visit www.mann.house.gov", 1, "2026-05-01T06:06:26Z", "2026-05-01T06:08:22Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=2584778F-B8F4-4CA6-A04C-0B025FA173E8", "Sen. Moran Joins Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Bolster American Global Leadership in Digital Trade", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) joined Sens. Todd Young (R-Ind.), Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) in introducing the Digital Trade Promotion Act, bipartisan legislation that would strengthen American global leadership in digital trade.\n\nThe Digital Trade Promotion Act would authorize the President to negotiate and enforce digital trade agreements with trusted partners and allies, thereby bolstering opportunities for businesses and workers and strengthening U.S. economic security. This legislation also provides congressional oversight authority to review and, if necessary, disapprove of any agreement, making certain that the American people are prioritized in every negotiation.\n\n\u201cAdvancing the digital trade of goods and services positively impacts everyone across our state \u2013 from farmers and manufacturers to small businesses and consumers,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cThis legislation allows for greater executive authority to promote trade deals involving digital products and services, reducing digital trade barriers while allowing Congress to exercise necessary oversight of any agreement in order to make certain the American people are prioritized.\u201d\n\n\u201cChina and other strategic competitors are pushing digital regimes that create new barriers and tilt the field against U.S. companies and workers. To ensure American workers, businesses, and consumers can succeed in the digital age, we must cement U.S. leadership in the global digital economy,\u201d said Sen. Young. \u201cNegotiating more digital trade agreements with partners and allies will strengthen our economic security, spur more opportunities for Hoosiers, and secure America\u2019s competitive edge.\u201d\n\n\u201cFrom farmers in Sussex to fintech startups in New Castle County, digital tools help every entrepreneur compete around the world. I\u2019m proud to introduce the bipartisan Digital Trade Promotion Act to help businesses big and small compete on a level playing field and ensure the global rules of the road are rooted in American values of openness, transparency, and fairness,\u201d said Sen. Coons.\n\n\u201cThe United States\u2019 digital sector is the envy of the world, but we cannot allow China to write the rules of the road for the next generation of emerging technology,\" said Sen. Bennet. \u201cThis legislation will ensure the U.S. can work closely with our allies and partners to establish a strong international framework for innovation and consumer protection in the digital age.\u201d\n\nSpecifically, the Digital Trade Promotion Act would:\n\nReaffirm that digital trade is critical to U.S. growth, jobs, competitiveness and leadership, and that the United States should lead in setting high-standard rules with like-minded partners.\n\nAuthorize the president, through the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), to negotiate, enter and enforce digital trade agreements with trusted partners that meet specified rule-of-law, openness and intellectual property protections.\n\nRequire that any digital trade agreement cover all sectors and include key negotiating priorities: nondiscrimination for digital goods and services, bans on discriminatory digital taxes and data localization, free cross-border data flows, strong protections for source code and algorithms, interoperable privacy and consumer protections, artificial intelligence and emerging-tech cooperation, cybersecurity cooperation and support for open, voluntary international standards.\n\nEstablish congressional oversight with advance notice, consultation during negotiations, a pre-signing report and a defined review window in which Congress can block an agreement.\n\nDirect USTR to monitor partner compliance on an ongoing basis and gives the President tools to respond to violations, including suspending or withdrawing agreement benefits, negotiating corrective and compensatory arrangements or taking other actions to push partners back into compliance.\n\nFull text of the legislation can be found here. A one-pager on the bill can be found here.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=7DF6768F-25A4-4A31-BEA2-87B155B34B50", "VIDEO: Sen. Moran Calls on Congress to Amend NDAA to Maintain Critical Aviation Safety Standards for Military Helicopters", "2025-12-11", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) \u2013 chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation \u2013 today spoke on the Senate floor warning that the current draft of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) fails to implement the minimum standards necessary for military helicopters operating in mixed airspace. Sen. Moran called on his colleagues to amend the NDAA or pass additional legislation to maintain current safety standards.\n\nThe National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy stated in a press conference this week that the current version of the NDAA could threaten safety regulations that were put in place following the fatal January 29 crash involving American Airlines Flight 5342, which originated from Wichita.\n\n\u201cI will insist and be working with my colleagues to amend the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, or to otherwise pass legislation to make sure that NDAA language is at least as a minimum abiding by the safety standards that were set in place after the crash of January, the 29th,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cOur aviation system is fragile. I chair the subcommittee in Commerce on Aviation and Space. We\u2019ve seen this in testimony time and time again: there is fragility in the safety of our air system, and over the last year, Congress has passed significant legislation to invest in the future safety of our airspace and introduced legislation to make our airspace safer, including the ROTOR Act. Now is not the time to take a step back from these efforts.\u201d\n\nYesterday, Sen. Moran joined his fellow members of the Senate Commerce Committee leadership in issuing a joint statement raising concerns about the NDAA provision.\n\nClick HERE to Watch Sen. Moran\u2019s Full Remarks\n\nSen. Moran\u2019s full remarks as delivered:\u201cMr. President, the deadly collision that occurred here in our nation\u2019s capital between American Airlines Flight 5342, from Wichita, Kansas, and a U.S. Army Blackhawk on January 29th, 2025, forever changed how we look and think about air travel. There were numerous circumstances that led to this horrific incident, and the NTSB\u2019s \u2013 the National Transportation Safety Board\u2019s \u2013 critical investigation into this collision is continuing even today.\n\n\u201cWhile the NTSB\u2019s final recommendations have not yet been released, the Chair of the NTSB, Jennifer Homendy, took an unusual step in publicly stating that the current version of the NDAA \u2013 the National Defense Authorization Act \u2013 does not adequately address the safety concerns surrounding the mixed airspace around DCA.\n\n\u201cShe even went on to say that the legislation \u2013 the legislation, the NDAA \u2013 she says, \u2018reverses safety changes made after the mid-air collision; after the NTSB issued urgent safety recommendations; and after Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy rightfully implemented NTSB\u2019s urgent safety recommendations.\u2019\n\n\u201cBased on the data and recommendations we\u2019ve received so far from NTSB so far, we know that:\n\n\u201cOne: There should have been limitations to rotary travel in high-traffic areas of commercial air travel.\n\n\u201cTwo: All aircraft in this space should be using position broadcast technology, nearly no exceptions,\n\n\u201cAnd three: the users of this congested air space should be communicating problems to each other, like the 15,000 \u2018near misses\u2019 that occurred around DCA in a three-year period between commercial planes and rotary aircraft. 15,000 near misses in a three-year period of time.\n\n\u201cThe current NDAA text includes a provision which misses the mark on two of these must-have provisions. Therefore, I will insist and be working with my colleagues to amend the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, or to otherwise pass legislation \u2013 perhaps in the appropriations process, of which I\u2019m a member of that committee \u2013 to make sure that NDAA language is at least as a minimum abiding by the safety standards that were set in place after the crash of January, the 29th.\n\n\u201cOur aviation system is fragile. I chair the subcommittee in Commerce on Aviation and Space. We\u2019ve seen this in testimony time and time again: there is fragility in the safety of our air system, and over the last year, Congress has passed significant legislation to invest in the future safety of our airspace and introduced legislation to make our airspace safer, including the ROTOR Act.\n\n\u201cNow is not the time to take a step back from these efforts. I\u2019m grateful for the hard work of NTSB Chair Homendy and her team, and I look forward to receiving their final recommendations when that time arises.\n\n\u201cAnd I also want to say thank you to the families of the victims of Flight 5342, who have continued to be vocal advocates for the safety of our airspace in honor of the loved ones they lost.\n\n\u201cMr. President, it is important we not take a step back, but take a step forward. And I\u2019ll work in every way that I can with my colleagues to see that we accomplish that before the passage of the National Defense Authorization Act. Mr. President, I yield the floor.\u201d\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mann-promotes-us-peace-through-strength", "Rep. Mann Promotes U.S. Peace Through Strength", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Tracey Mann", "M000871", "mann.house.gov", "mann", "https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) voted to advance S. 1071, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026(NDAA). The annual bill provides critical resources for national defense, military readiness, and support for the nation\u2019s service members. Rep. Mann released the following statement after the vote.\n\n\u201cEvery day, our U.S. service members put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms,\u201d said Rep. Mann. \u201cI was proud to support our men and women in uniform at Fort Riley and around the globe by voting to give them a 4% pay raise, rebuild our defense industrial base, and restore merit-based standards in our military. More importantly, the NDAA better positions us to promote U.S. peace through strength while codifying several of President Trump\u2019s executive orders that have put our military first again. I am forever grateful for the sacrifice our military and their families make every day, and this NDAA makes them a priority while restoring military lethality and morale for troops.\u201d\n\nThe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026:\n\nProvides enlisted service members with a 4% pay raise.\n\nExpands U.S. counter-drone defenses and new technologies.\n\nAdvances the Golden Dome and enhances America\u2019s nuclear deterrence and new nuclear power technologies.\n\nFully supports the deployment of National Guard and active-duty troops at the southwest border to intercept illegal immigrants and drugs.\n\nEnhances U.S. defense initiatives in the Indo-Pacific to bolster Taiwan\u2019s defense and support Indo-Pacific allies.\n\nRevitalizes American shipbuilding and expands the Maritime Industrial Base.\n\nAccelerates the development and delivery of space capabilities to counter Chinese and Russian nuclear arsenals and space surveillance.\n\nRestores merit-based promotions and admissions to service academies.\n\nCounters antisemitism and eliminates programs that discourage military readiness, like CRT and climate initiatives.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-15T05:46:42Z", "2026-04-15T05:48:27Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=41DBB088-EB8D-403D-A867-41039FD92EF0", "VIDEO: Sen. Moran Questions U.S. Trade Representative Greer on Agricultural & Aviation Trade", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) \u2013 chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (CJS) \u2013 led a hearing yesterday with United States Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer, during which he emphasized the important role of agricultural and aviation trade to Kansas. Sen. Moran questioned Ambassador Greer on trade opportunities for agricultural producers, global markets for ethanol and other biofuels, and highlighted the significance of aviation trade to Kansas.\n\nDuring his remarks, Sen. Moran shared a photo of a grain sorghum pile that was taken in Kensington several years ago, emphasizing the need for expanded markets for Kansas producers.\n\n\u201cI could hardly see the grain elevator because of the grain sorghum that was piled on the ground because there was no space in the elevator,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cThis was, and has now returned to be, the circumstance in communities across Kansas. It highlights the magnitude of what we have to sell and how important your job is.\u201d\n\nSen. Moran also questioned Ambassador Greer on maintaining the zero-for-zero tariff provision for aviation products in the Trade Agreements Act of 1979.\n\n\u201cIn addition to an agricultural state, we\u2019ve got a number of things \u2013 how we earn a living in Kansas \u2013 but one of the significant ones is aviation,\u201d continued Sen. Moran. \u201cIn your negotiations in the past \u2013 with the United Kingdom, with South Korea, Japan, the European Union \u2013 you have established the zero-for-zero tariffs that were created in the 1979 agreement. You\u2019ve continued that practice, that policy. I want to encourage that to continue as you negotiate with India or Brazil or Singapore. Can you provide me an update and your thought process on the continuation of the 1979 agreement?\u201d\n\n\u201cAs you know, I lived in Wichita \u2013 the Air Capital \u2013 so this is a sector that\u2019s important to me,\u201d responded Ambassador Greer. \u201cAs we\u2019ve gone through and we\u2019ve accomplished our trade deals with countries, this is an area where we\u2019ve agreed to give them no reciprocal tariff, again, recognizing the 1979 agreement and the status of the industry in America as a net exporter. With Brazil, India, Singapore, we don\u2019t have deals yet with these countries. With India, it\u2019s fairly far advanced. And my expectation: we can certainly talk about extending treatment to those countries as well if they\u2019re willing to play ball and come to the table and give the United States the market access it should have.\u201d\n\nSen. Moran\u2019s opening statement can be viewed here.\n\nClick HERE to Watch Sen. Moran\u2019s Full Questioning", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases/sen-moran-rep-schmidt-secure-kansas-priority-annual-defense-authorization", "Sen. Moran, Rep. Schmidt Secure Kansas Priority in Annual Defense Authorization Legislation", "2025-12-09", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Derek Schmidt", "S001228", "schmidt.house.gov", "schmidt", "https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 (December 9, 2025) \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) \u2013 chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs \u2013 and U.S. Representative Derek Schmidt (R-KS-02) \u2013 a member of the House Committee on Armed Services \u2013 applauded the inclusion of their amendment, which would strengthen access to medical care for veterans, in the conferenced text of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\n\nThis provision will support Defense Health Agency (DHA) military medical treatment facilities (MTF), such as Irwin Army Community Hospital at Fort Riley, by requiring that DHA and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) create action plans to support greater utilization of military hospitals by veterans and servicemembers. These action plans will expand veteran access to MTF services while also enhancing resource sharing between DHA and VA. Sen. Moran helped secure passage of the amendment in the Senate in October. Based on a provision Rep. Schmidt secured during House Armed Services Committee consideration in July, the FY2026 NDAA also imposes additional requirements before an MTF is downgraded in the scope of services it provides.\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s veterans have sacrificed much to serve our nation and protect our freedom,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cI\u2019m pleased that the final text of the annual National Defense Authorization Act includes our provision to expand medical access for veterans and support the longevity of Irwin Army Community Hospital and other military treatment facilities across the country. I urge my colleagues to support the swift passage of this legislation to make certain that our troops have the resources needed to fulfill their mission during military service that our veterans have the access to care and the tools to succeed after service.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe men and women who serve America in our armed forces deserve top-notch access to healthcare both while serving and when they later enter the veterans healthcare system,\u201d said Rep. Schmidt. \u201cIt has been a pleasure working with Senator Moran to expand options for veterans healthcare while also strengthening Irwin Army Community Hospital and other important healthcare facilities on military bases throughout our country.\u201d\n\nThe Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives passed separate legislation, but the final FY2026 NDAA was negotiated by leadership of the Senate and House Armed Services committees. It now heads to the full House and Senate for approval.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=4562BF59-1691-4C80-983E-673BE1C776D3", "Sen. Moran Statement on Trump Administration\u2019s Rollout of $12 Billion Economic Assistance Package for U.S. Farmers", "2025-12-09", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) \u2013 a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry \u2013 today responded to the announcement by the Trump administration that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide $12 billion in federal economic assistance for American farmers. The package includes $11 billion in one-time payments to crop farmers under the USDA\u2019s Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program. The remaining $1 billion will be utilized for commodities not included in the FBA program.\n\n\u201cYears of drought, high input costs and trade uncertainty have created economic hardships for American farmers,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cThis package is a necessity that will help farmers weather the current uncertainty while the administration works to increase markets for farmers to sell their crops. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the Senate Agriculture Committee and with the administration to make certain we are providing farmers and ranchers with the resources they need to continue feeding, fueling and clothing the world, and maintaining their businesses and livelihoods.\u201d\n\nClick HERE to Watch Sen. Moran\u2019s Interview Today on RFD-TV\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=F9B06F7C-BB9E-4063-B861-53C85851298D", "Sen. Moran, Rep. Schmidt Secure Kansas Priority in Annual Defense Authorization Legislation", "2025-12-09", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) \u2013 chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs \u2013 and U.S. Representative Derek Schmidt (R-KS-02) \u2013 a member of the House Committee on Armed Services \u2013 applauded the inclusion of their amendment, which would strengthen access to medical care for veterans, in the conferenced text of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).\n\nThis provision will support Defense Health Agency (DHA) military medical treatment facilities (MTF), such as Irwin Army Community Hospital at Fort Riley, by requiring that DHA and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) create action plans to support greater utilization of military hospitals by veterans and servicemembers. These action plans will expand veteran access to MTF services while also enhancing resource sharing between DHA and VA. Sen. Moran helped secure passage of the amendment in the Senate in October. Based on a provision Rep. Schmidt secured during House Armed Services Committee consideration in July, the FY2026 NDAA also imposes additional requirements before an MTF is downgraded in the scope of services it provides.\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s veterans have sacrificed much to serve our nation and protect our freedom,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cI\u2019m pleased that the final text of the annual National Defense Authorization Act includes our provision to expand medical access for veterans and support the longevity of Irwin Army Community Hospital and other military treatment facilities across the country. I urge my colleagues to support the swift passage of this legislation to make certain that our troops have the resources needed to fulfill their mission during military service that our veterans have the access to care and the tools to succeed after service.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe men and women who serve America in our armed forces deserve top-notch access to healthcare both while serving and when they later enter the veterans healthcare system,\u201d said Rep. Schmidt. \u201cIt has been a pleasure working with Senator Moran to expand options for veterans healthcare while also strengthening Irwin Army Community Hospital and other important healthcare facilities on military bases throughout our country.\u201d\n\nThe Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives passed separate legislation, but the final FY2026 NDAA was negotiated by leadership of the Senate and House Armed Services committees. It now heads to the full House and Senate for approval.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-rep-mann-applauds-president-trumps-aid-american-farmers", "ICYMI: Rep. Mann Applauds President Trump's Aid to American Farmers", "2025-12-08", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Tracey Mann", "M000871", "mann.house.gov", "mann", "https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "SALINA, KS \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann joined Meet the Press Now to applaud the Trump Administration's announcement that they will provide $12 billion in bridge aid to American agricultural producers.\n\nRep. Mann released the following statement after the announcement:\n\n\"American agriculture has no stronger champion than President Trump,\" said Rep. Mann. \"After four years of President Biden being asleep at the wheel with no trade deals, no positive news for farmers, and a Department of Agriculture hyper focused on Green New Deal policies, our farm economy struggled with record-high input costs and warped global markets. President Trump is bridging the gap from four years of chaos into a new golden age for American agriculture. Thank you, President Trump, for standing with our nation's farmers and for giving them much-needed relief as they plan for the year ahead.\"\n\nCLICK HERE to watch Rep. Mann's full interview\n\nIn case you missed it...\n\n[On President Biden being asleep at the wheel]: Without question the Biden Administration was asleep at the wheel for four years when it comes to ag trade. When President Trump ended his first term there was an ag trade surplus of $6 billion. When Biden ended his term there was a deficit of $40 billion. So we went years without new trade deals, no positive news for farmers as far as trade goes. President Trump has come in and he is righting the ship and that takes a while. When you run a ship into an iceberg you have to stop the ship, bail the water, repair the ship, and pick a different direction. That's exactly what we're seeing happening. These deals are getting done.\n\n[On getting fair trade deals]: Our farmers want trade, not aid. We have to get better, fair, trade deals. The two crops that have been impacted the most by trade talks this year are soybeans and sorghum. We are seeing China make announcements that they are buying soybeans and sorghum. The President said today, he's been very adamant about requiring China to live up to their deals. Beyond that, we have got to continue to open new markets and that is where Biden failed for years in doing no new trade deals, opening up no new relationships. When there is a level, fair playing field, our American farmers can compete around the world. We have to get these trade deals done. Unfortunately, the Trump administration was handed the baton way behind and now they're working to try to catch up.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=CEEC5801-E8D0-4EE1-98CD-ECC1547CC637", "Sen. Moran Statement on Boeing\u2019s Acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems", "2025-12-08", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) \u2013 chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation \u2013 today released the following statement after Boeing closed its acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems:\n\n\"Wichita would not be the Air Capital of the World without the extraordinary engineers, designers and manufacturers who have invested in our aerospace industry and made Kansas their home. Boeing's acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems will help build bridges between Seattle and Wichita and bring new opportunities to the Air Capital of the World. I welcome Boeing back to Wichita and look forward to working with them to build a lasting relationship with the community and its workforce, as well as current and future suppliers, to continue building on the growth we have seen in recent years.\"\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-derek-schmidt-introduces-bill-coordinate-federal-response-scams", "Rep. Derek Schmidt Introduces Bill to Coordinate Federal Response to Scams", "2025-12-05", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Derek Schmidt", "S001228", "schmidt.house.gov", "schmidt", "https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 (December 5, 2025) \u2013 Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-2) this week joined in leading a bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives to introduce legislation requiring the federal government to better coordinate its work to fight scams and protect consumers, particularly seniors.\n\nThe National Strategy for Combating Scams Act would require coordination among the numerous federal agencies that have jurisdiction over different aspects of fraud and scams. The bill also would require federal agencies to improve anti-scam coordination with state and local authorities.\n\nEach year, Americans lose billions of dollars to scams and fraud. While all Americans can be targets, scammers often disproportionately target seniors and may be particularly aggressive during the holiday season.\n\n\"As a former Kansas attorney general, nothing makes my blood boil more than crooks and scam artists who ripoff billions of dollars each year from Americans, particularly preying on our seniors,\u201d Schmidt said. \u201cToo often, the alphabet soup bureaucracy of federal agencies assigned to protect Americans from scammers get stuck in their individual silos of responsibility and jurisdiction. Our bill is aimed at coordinating the federal response to scams and improving the cooperation among the authorities who are supposed to stop them and protect Kansans.\u201d\n\nThe National Strategy for Combating Scams Act (H.R. 6425) would establish a federal working group led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to coordinate the efforts of more than a dozen federal agencies in combating scams. The working group would also be tasked with increasing coordination with Federal, State, local and Tribal governments. Schmidt is the Republican co-lead on the bill, introduced yesterday together with Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI-1). Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Rick Scott (R-FL), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Ashley Moody (R-FL).\n\n\u201cToo many Rhode Islanders have been taken for a ride by scammers skimming their pockets and stealing their hard-earned money, leaving many devastated and destitute,\u201d Amo said. \u201cI\u2019m proud to introduce these bipartisan measures, one of which is also bicameral, to ensure we are addressing the rising scam threat in a coordinated and strategic manner. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and the Senate as the national strategy is developed to keep fighting scammers and keep Rhode Islanders\u2019 money where it belongs, in their pockets.\"\n\nIn addition to the National Strategy for Combating Scams Act, Schmidt has cosponsored the STOP Scams Against Seniors Act (H.R. 6426) which would authorize the use of federal grant funds to establish and support Elder Justice Task Forces to help local, state, and federal agencies work together to investigate and prosecute illegal scammers. Schmidt also cosponsored a resolution (H.Res. 931) supporting the designation of December 4 as \u201cNational Scam Prevention Day.\u201d\n\nDuring his prior service as Kansas attorney general, that office recovered a record-setting amount of money from scammers and returned it to Kansas consumers. Schmidt also previously chaired the national consumer protection committee of the National Association of Attorneys General.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=379822B1-D8F4-4473-BEC0-7E1E5E60E210", "Sen. Moran Statement on Selection of Prime Integrator to Oversee New Air Traffic Control System", "2025-12-05", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) \u2013 chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation \u2013 released the following statement on the announcement by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that Peraton will be the Prime Integrator to lead the construction of the new air traffic control system:\n\n\u201cThis announcement is good news for the traveling public, and it signals a positive step in the critical efforts to improve the aviation system and modernize our air space. As the project moves forward, Congress remains committed to conducting oversight to make certain that the safety and efficiency of our U.S. aviation system remain the top priority. As we tragically witnessed on January 29th when a flight originating from Wichita crashed with an Army helicopter \u2013 resulting in the loss of 67 lives \u2013 the effort to modernize air safety is long overdue. This selection is pivotal in modernizing our aviation system and enhancing greater safety and certainty for air travelers.\u201d\n\nItems to note:\n\nThe project to modernize air traffic control infrastructure received a historic $12.5 billion federal investment as a part of the Reconciliation Bill that was signed into law in July. Peraton, with the USDOT and the FAA, will oversee the rollout of the project.\n\nAs Chairman of the Commerce Aviation Subcommittee, Sen. Moran will hold a hearing on December 17 to examine Air Traffic Control modernization. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford will testify before the subcommittee.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=24712D67-0046-47ED-A1DC-34FAA77B2994", "Sens. Moran, Peters Reintroduce Legislation to Reauthorize and Reform the Technology Modernization Fund", "2025-12-04", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) reintroduced the Modernizing Government Technology Reform Act, legislation that would modernize and reauthorize the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) through 2032. This legislation also imposes additional requirements and oversight on agencies receiving TMF funding, making certain funding is prioritized towards long-term modernization projects.\n\nThis legislation expands on the Modernizing Government Technology Act, legislation introduced by Sen. Moran in 2017, that established the TMF to provide multi-year funding and repayment flexibility for agencies to modernize IT systems, improve government services and strengthen cybersecurity. This legislation was included in the FY2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and was signed into law later that year.\n\n\u201cBolstering our national cybersecurity is critical as America continues to face growing threats of cybercrime and espionage from our adversaries,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cThis legislation would extend funding for the Technology Modernization Fund, allowing federal agencies to improve outdated data security systems and eliminate long-term wasteful spending in the process.\u201d\n\n\"This bill ensures government technology keeps pace with the needs of the American people,\u201d said Sen. Peters. \u201cBy modernizing outdated systems and strengthening oversight, we\u2019re ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely, strengthening cybersecurity, and improving services that millions of Americans rely on every day.\"\n\nU.S. Representatives Nancy Mace (R-SC-01), Gerry Connolly (D-VA-11), and Shontel Brown (D-OH-11) introduced companion legislation in the House.\n\nFull text of the legislation can be found HERE.\n\nSpecifically, this legislation would:\n\nReauthorize the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF) through 2032.\n\nAuthorize TMF funds to be used for IT projects that improve an agency\u2019s ability to execute its mission and deliver services to the public.\n\nImpose additional requirements for agencies that receive funds to reimburse the TMF.\n\nRevise the criteria by which agency applications for TMF funding are evaluated to include the extent to which they address the greatest security, privacy and operational risks; impact of modernizing, retiring or replacing legacy IT systems; and ability of an agency to reimburse funds provided.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=B1731AB0-EB5E-4489-9DDC-2034B2F77DA7", "VIDEO: Sen. Moran Questions NASA Nominee on Importance of Earth Science Programs for Kansas Agriculture", "2025-12-03", "2025", "2025-12", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) \u2013 chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation \u2013 today questioned the NASA Administrator nominee, Jared Isaacman, during his nomination hearing. In his remarks, Sen. Moran emphasized to Mr. Isaacman the significant role that NASA\u2019s Earth Science Division plays in supporting the agriculture industry and shared a letter from a Kansas farmer, Dwane Roth of Holcomb, on the importance of NASA\u2019s earth science research.\n\n\u201cI want to mention for a moment the mission directive of science, and the letter that captured me is from a Kansas farmer named Mr. Roth,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cHe indicates to me that NASA\u2019s earth science investments \u2013 I\u2019m reading directly from his letter \u2013 now directly support U.S. farmers in ways that were unimaginable even a decade ago. Tools based on NASA\u2019s data and science \u2013 like OpenET, NISAR, the Rangeland Analysis Platform \u2013 provide real-time field level insight into soil moisture, biomass, drought stress, water use, yield stability. These aren\u2019t future technologies, he says, they are already built, functional and being used in states like mine.\u201d\n\nSen. Moran went on to highlight the NASA Acres Farm Innovation Ambassador Team (FIAT), a national partnership that connects producers with NASA researchers to develop practical tools for farming using satellite data.\n\n\u201cThis mission is to unite farmers with NASA to turn earth observation technology into real-world decisions that support profitability, water efficiency and risk reduction,\u201d continued Sen. Moran. \u201cA Kansas farmer found value in NASA. It\u2019s something we don\u2019t always talk about and think about when we think about space. I\u2019m looking for your thoughts in response to what this farmer is reminding me of. How do you see NASA supporting or operationally developing the satellites that support precision agriculture? Tell me your response to this idea that NASA has a role to play in the everyday lives of Kansas and American agriculture.\u201d\n\n\u201cAt the present time, we only inhabit one planet,\u201d responded Mr. Isaacman. \u201cEarth science is pretty vitally important. It\u2019s a role that NASA has had since the agency was established. We have Landsat satellites up there that are looking down, understanding droughts and flooding and wildfires \u2013 natural disasters \u2013 almost essentially in real time that obviously play a direct role on the agriculture community. There\u2019s obviously our GPS constellations that are going to go hand-in-hand with agriculture equipment for next generation farming. So, I do see this as a vital role that NASA continues to fulfill.\u201d\n\nClick HERE to Watch Sen. Moran\u2019s Full Questioning", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"], ["https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-derek-schmidt-backs-legislation-fight-child-exploitation", "Rep. Derek Schmidt Backs Legislation to Fight Child Exploitation", "2025-11-25", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Derek Schmidt", "S001228", "schmidt.house.gov", "schmidt", "https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 (November 25, 2025) \u2013 Congressman Derek Schmidt is cosponsoring three bipartisan bills to strengthen federal work combating the exploitation of children, his office announced today.\n\n\u201cWhen I served as Kansas attorney general, we made fighting crimes against children a top priority for our state,\u201d Schmidt said. \u201cAs a member of Congress, I now serve in a position to support those who are carrying on the front-line work of protecting children from abuse and exploitation each and every day.\u201d\n\nLast week, Schmidt cosponsored the ENFORCE Act (H.R. 4831) to close loopholes in the federal obscenity statute that currently leaves offenders less accountable when they create child sexual abuse material using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. Schmidt also recently cosponsored the STOP CSAM Act (H.R. 3921), which strengthens federal laws requiring online platforms to assist in combating child sexual abuse materials on their platforms. He also has cosponsored the PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act (H.R. 1274), which would reauthorize and strengthen the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program. The legislation proposes to increase funding for ICACs and to update the national strategy to prevent child exploitation and to strengthen ICAC task forces.\n\n\u201cThe ways in which sex offenders can exploit children are multiplying as fast as online technology is evolving,\u201d Schmidt said. \u201cWe need to redouble our efforts for the law to keep pace.\u201d\n\nIn addition to the three bills to strengthen enforcement, Schmidt is backing other measures to support crime victims, including victims of child exploitation. Schmidt is a lead cosponsor of the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act, a bipartisan bill to shore up funding for crime victim support grants, including those supporting child victims (H.R. 909). He also is also a cosponsor of the Trafficking Survivors Relief Act (H.R. 4323), which would vacate convictions for certain crimes committed by victims while being trafficked.\n\nFor several years, Schmidt served on the law enforcement advisory committee of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. As a Kansas state senator, he was a principal author of the Kansas version of Jessica\u2019s Law, which imposes life prison sentences for violent sex offenders who prey on children. And as Kansas attorney general, he led that office while it sent more child abusers to prison for life than any prior administration and also helped lead the multi-year effort to overhaul and strengthen Kansas state laws against human trafficking.\n\n\u201cSadly, protecting children from abuse and exploitation requires a sustained effort by people of goodwill at every level of government and throughout civil society,\u201d Schmidt said. \u201cWe are committed to continuing to do our part to protect our kids.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=05A42970-0840-4E1E-8921-98A6DC404796", "Sens. Moran, Gallego Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Bolster Small Transit Intensive Cities Program", "2025-11-25", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) introduced bipartisan legislation to bolster the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Small Transit Intensive Cities (STIC) program by increasing the Section 5307 grant allotment \u2013 which the STIC program utilizes \u2013 from 3 percent to 5 percent to help increase the efficiency and capacity of public transportation in communities with populations between 50,000 and 200,000. The allotment does not necessitate an increase in federal spending; it simply allocates existing funding where it is needed most and rewards high-performing STIC participants.\n\n\u201cPublic transportation provides critical services to communities in Kansas and across the country as people travel to work, doctor\u2019s appointments and more,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cThis legislation will build on the success of the Small Transit Intensive Cities Program and help to make certain high-performing public transit systems in smaller urban or suburban communities can receive the same access to federal investment as higher population areas.\u201d\n\n\u201cSmall urban areas like Flagstaff, Sierra Vista, and Yuma are doing all they can to keep up with demand for affordable, reliable public transportation,\u201d said Sen. Gallego. \u201cThis bill gives these already successful systems the resources they need to expand service and connect even more Arizonans to their jobs, school, and health care. I\u2019m proud to lead this bipartisan bill to support local infrastructure projects.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Small Transit Intensive Cities program has been critical for Lawrence Transit and many other communities our size,\u201d said Felice Lavergne, Director of Transit for the City of Lawrence. \u201cCollaborating with the University of Kansas provides strong ridership which means we provide levels of service more typical of much larger cities. Continued and increased funding ensures that smaller communities like ours can meet that demand: connecting people to jobs, education, healthcare, and more. We\u2019re grateful for Senator Moran\u2019s leadership in supporting this program.\u201d\n\n\u201cSmall city transit operators are among the most effective and efficient in the nation,\u201d said Scott Bogren, Executive Director of the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA). \u201cCTAA and its members strongly support S.2957 that further rewards high performance for these agencies. We're pleased to be working with Senators Moran and Gallego on this important legislation.\"\n\nThe STIC Program is an existing FTA program that rewards high transit performance by providing funds to small-urban transit providers. The populations of these communities are between 50,000 and 200,000, and the resources are based on meeting at least one of six measurable performance criteria established annually by the average service levels of larger public transit agencies.\n\nThree Kansas communities fall within the population threshold for STIC, including Lawrence, Topeka and Manhattan. When a public transit agency exceeds the average service level of a large transit agency, it is rewarded with additional federal transit investment. This funding has allowed smaller transit systems to fund projects that increase the efficiency and capacity of public transportation nationwide.\n\nFull text of the legislation can be found HERE.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=B1090019-1D2D-43D5-9163-13C8037A5CE8", "Sen. Moran Statement on Ukraine & Russia Peace Negotiations", "2025-11-25", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today released the following statement regarding the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to end the unjust war in Ukraine:\n\n\u201cAs negotiations move forward, the administration must make certain Ukraine is equipped with the tools needed to defend its people and territory against ongoing aggression and demand meaningful, enduring security guarantees for Kyiv. Lasting peace will be achieved when the costs of continuing the war in Ukraine are unsustainable for Russia, not by acceding to Vladimir Putin\u2019s demands. Any other result makes the world a more dangerous place.\u201d\n\nSen. Moran has consistently emphasized the importance of U.S. support for Ukraine in their fight against Russian aggression. Click here to watch his latest remarks on the Senate floor, urging continued pressure on Russia.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=41FF3640-8F71-443B-996E-2A9664D110E0", "Sen. Moran Urges USDA Secretary Rollins to Exempt NBAF from Federal Hiring Freeze", "2025-11-24", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) \u2013 a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry \u2013 called on U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins to pursue an exemption from the federal hiring freeze to hire necessary staff at the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) in Manhattan, Kansas. Sen. Moran recently hosted USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden in Manhattan to highlight the critical research occurring at NBAF and Kansas State University\u2019s Biosecurity Research Institute. \u201cOn a recent tour of the facility, USDA staff highlighted the efforts being made to finish critical repairs and bring NBAF to its full operational capacity,\u201d wrote Sen. Moran. \u201cA lack of staff in both science and operational roles will hinder NBAF's function and mission, threatening national food and agriculture security.\u201d \u201cThe work of your staff has already shortened the timeline for NBAF to come fully online, and I commend you on making food security a priority for USDA,\u201d concluded Sen. Moran. \u201cPrompt action on this matter ensures this timeline stays on track. I look forward to working with you on this matter to ensure NBAF fulfills its role as the world's premiere biosecurity facility.\u201d\n\nThe full letter can be found here or below.\n\nDear Secretary Rollins:\n\nI write to you today to request you urgently pursue an exemption from the federal hiring freeze for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) and use whatever authorities you possess to expedite the hiring of critical positions.\n\nOn a recent tour of the facility, USDA staff highlighted the efforts being made to finish critical repairs and bring NBAF to its full operational capacity. I appreciated Deputy Secretary Vaden and other members of your team joining me on that tour, as well as the Deputy Secretary\u2019s interest in ensuring NBAF has the personnel and resources it needs to be successful and the commitment to working with us toward that goal. A lack of staff in both science and operational roles will hinder NBAF's function and mission, threatening national food and agriculture security.\n\nThe work of your staff has already shortened the timeline for NBAF to come fully online, and I commend you on making food security a priority for USDA. Prompt action on this matter ensures this timeline stays on track. I look forward to working with you on this matter to ensure NBAF fulfills its role as the world's premiere biosecurity facility.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mann-celebrates-national-rural-health-day", "Rep. Mann Celebrates National Rural Health Day", "2025-11-21", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Tracey Mann", "M000871", "mann.house.gov", "mann", "https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "CLICK HERE to download Rep. Mann\u2019s remarks.\n\nCLICK HERE to watch Rep. Mann\u2019s remarks on YouTube.\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 In honor of National Rural Health Day, Rep. Tracey Mann (KS-01) took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize rural health care workers, hospitals, service providers, clinics, community health centers, and all those who contribute to rural health in the Big First District. Rep. Mann also touted Congressional Republicans and President Trump's historic $50 billion investment into Rural Health Transformation Program and the life changing impact the program will have on Americans in rural communities.\n\nRep. Mann's congressional district consists of 60 primarily rural counties in Kansas and has more critical access hospitals than any other district in the country.\n\nRep. Mann\u2019s Remarks as Prepared:\n\nMr. Speaker, this Thursday, America will celebrate National Rural Health Day. As the representative of 60 primarily rural counties, and the congressional district with more critical access hospitals than any other district in the country, I understand full well the importance of adequate, quality health care for all communities.\n\nEarlier this year, I proudly supported the Working Families Tax Cuts which established the Rural Health Transformation Program. This legislation made the single largest investment into rural health care in nearly two decades and will be life changing for the men and women who call rural communities like the ones I represent home. The $50 billion in the Rural Health Transformation Program will better position rural health care facilities to embrace innovative technologies while improving the way health care is delivered, strengthening health outcomes, and ensuring the health of rural Americans reaches its full potential. The quality of care that Americans receive should not and cannot depend on their zip code.\n\nBy investing in the Rural Health Transformation Program and putting safeguards around the Medicaid program to guarantee it serves the vulnerable patients it was intended to serve, this Republican majority has taken historic strides to strengthen rural health care. Rural communities are the backbone of America, and I am proud to have supported this legislation to ensure they have access to the highest quality care.\n\nThis National Rural Health Month, I recognize and thank the dedicated rural health care workers, hospitals, service providers, clinics, and community health centers that serve as pillars in providing health services and lifesaving care to Kansans in rural America and work to ensure they receive the care they deserve.\n\nKeep up the hard work and thank you again for all you do for our neighbors in rural America. Happy National Rural Health Month.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mann-honors-sergeant-scott-william-heimann-house-floor", "Rep. Mann Honors Sergeant Scott William Heimann on the House Floor", "2025-11-21", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Tracey Mann", "M000871", "mann.house.gov", "mann", "https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "CLICK HERE to download Rep. Mann\u2019s remarks.\n\nCLICK HERE to watch Rep. Mann\u2019s remarks on YouTube.\n\nWASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to honor the life of Sergeant Scott William Heimann. For nine years, Sergeant Heimann served as a member of the Hays Police Department. He passed on September 28, 2025.\n\nRep. Mann\u2019s Remarks as Prepared:\n\nMr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Sergeant Scott William Heimann. A loyal husband, a devoted father, a beloved son, and an invaluable member of the Hays, Kansas community, Scott paid the ultimate sacrifice protecting the community that he loved and served. On Sunday, September 28, 2025, Scott\u2019s watch ended far too soon when he was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call. On behalf of Kansans in the Big First District, I would like to say thank you for your service.\n\nScott served with the Hays Police Department for nine years. Throughout his time, he served on the Special Situation Response Team, High-Tech Crime Unit, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Honor Guard. Scott took pride in wearing the Hays Police Department uniform. He was never above serving the community he lived in whether his task was reading books to students at the library or responding to the most dangerous threats that posed a risk to his neighbors. There was no task too big or too small in his eyes.\n\nAudrey and I mourn with the Hays community and continue to pray for them as they come to terms with this tragedy. We especially pray for Scott\u2019s wife, Beth, his beautiful children, Victoria and Patrick, and all his loved ones who he left behind.\n\nThe Bible tells us in Psalm 34 that the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. As the reality of Scott\u2019s untimely passing sets in, I ask that the Lord would be close to his family, wrap His arms around this grieving community, and provide comfort.\n\nWell done, Sergeant Heimann. May your soul rest in peace.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=003F6D65-0DBB-446F-AA78-E013E0E9D059", "Sen. Moran Joins Colleagues in Introducing the Mental Health in Aviation Act", "2025-11-21", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation, joined his colleagues Sens. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill) in introducing the Mental Health in Aviation Act, bipartisan legislation to modernize the Federal Aviation Administration\u2019s (FAA) approach to mental health and medical certification. The Mental Health in Aviation Act improves aviation safety by ensuring both pilots and air traffic controllers can seek mental health care without fear of reprisal and while reducing the stigma associated with mental health.\n\n\u201cPilots and air traffic controllers bear a major responsibility in ensuring the safety of the flying public, a task that can be extremely stressful,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cNo one should have to deal with mental health challenges alone or worry that seeking help could harm their career. This legislation would help break down barriers, allowing pilots and air traffic controllers to access the resources and support they need, when they need it, and improve the safety of the aviation system.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s imperative that our pilots, air traffic controllers and aviation professionals have access to the resources they need to maintain their mental health,\u201d said Sen. Hoeven. \u201cThe Mental Health in Aviation Act seeks to address mental health issues throughout the aviation industry, promote early intervention, provide additional resources to the FAA\u2019s Office of Aerospace Medicine, and support the well-being of aviation professionals and the overall safety of our skies.\u201d\n\n\u201cPilots and air traffic controllers often operate under immense amounts of stress\u2014pursuing mental health care shouldn\u2019t be a career-ending decision,\u201d said Sen. Duckworth. \u201cThe fear and hesitancy around reporting mental health conditions and accessing care is hurting our pilots and isn\u2019t making our skies any safer\u2014reforms are critically needed. I\u2019m proud to introduce the Mental Health in Aviation Act with Senator Hoeven, commonsense legislation to help improve aviation safety and reduce bureaucratic delays and overregulation that can create a dangerous culture of silence and stigma around mental health.\u201d\n\nThis legislation was also cosponsored by Sens. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), John Curtis (R-Utah), and Jack Reed (D-R.I.).\n\nThe Mental Health in Aviation Act is the Senate companion to the House of Representatives bill, H.R. 2591, introduced by Reps. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) and Pete Stauber\u2019s (R-Minn.) bill. H.R. 2591 passed the House of Representatives unanimously on September 8, 2025.\n\nUnder current FAA regulations, pilots and air traffic controllers are required to obtain and maintain a FAA Medical Certification, which requires the disclosure of medical treatment, including for mental and behavioral health treatment. Once disclosed, even pilots with minor or well-managed conditions can face prolonged uncertainty and bureaucratic delays as they work through the existing processes that allow for treatment and safe return to operation. Further, the FAA has limited psychiatric staff to process pilot mental health evaluations, compounding the bureaucratic delays and leading to a significant backlog of special issuance applications. The Mental Health in Aviation Act builds on the recommendations made by the FAA at the Mental Health and Aviation Medical Clearances Rulemaking Committee (ARC) in 2023 to assess barriers for pilots and controllers to acknowledge, seek care and treatment, and report mental health concerns, and to develop and implement policy and protocol recommendations.\n\nSpecifically, the legislation would require the FAA to:\n\nModernize mental health guidance regulations for pilots and air traffic controllers to encourage the early disclosure and treatment of mental health conditions, and to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health in aviation.\n\nAnnually review the FAA\u2019s Special Issuance Medical Certification process, appropriate mental health treatments and medication use, and overall mental health training for Aviation Medical Examiners.\n\nAllocate $15 million annually (FY2026\u2013FY2029) to the FAA\u2019s Office of Aerospace Medicine to expand and train additional medical examiners, including specialists, to improve the efficiency of the FAA\u2019s Special Issuance Medical Certification process.\n\nAllocate $1.5 million annually (FY2026\u2013FY2029) for a public information campaign to help reduce the stigma around mental health care in aviation and encourage pilots and air traffic controllers to seek treatment.\n\nFull text and a summary of the Mental Health in Aviation Act can be found here and here.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=9E257801-A132-4E20-BCCE-34C6B30DCC41", "Sen. Moran Applauds Unanimous Passage of Bill to Boost Broadband Supply Chain", "2025-11-20", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) applauded the Senate passage of his legislation, the Network Equipment Transparency (NET) Act, to increase broadband supply chain transparency through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make certain federal broadband programs stay on track. The bill passed the Senate unanimously and now heads to the House of Representatives to be passed. Sen. Moran introduced this legislation with Sens. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.).\n\n\u201cRural communities in Kansas and across the country rely heavily on access to high-speed internet,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cIn this digital age, the success of family farms, businesses and even health care in rural America can depend on reliable internet. Adding transparency to the supply chains that support broadband infrastructure projects will help speed up the rollout of programs designed to increase internet activity for rural communities. I\u2019m pleased by the passage of the NET Act in the Senate, and I urge the House of Representatives to approve this important legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cSupply chain disruptions hold back our efforts to connect every household to affordable, high-speed internet,\u201d said Sen. Hickenlooper. \u201cSenate passage brings us a step closer to ensuring broadband projects from our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are completed on time.\u201d\n\n\u201cIn order to effectively connect our communities, it\u2019s critical that our federal agencies work to address any potential problems that would slow or hinder this process of deployment,\u201d said Sen. Capito. \u201cI\u2019m thrilled that the NET Act passed, bringing us closer to being able to monitor the supply chain so these crucial projects can be executed in a timely manner.\u201d\n\n\u201cResilient, efficient supply chains are essential to keeping prices low and ensuring Americans can get the products they need, and that includes broadband internet,\u201d said Sen. Peters. \u201cThis bipartisan bill would fortify the investments we made in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to expand high-speed, affordable internet by identifying issues in the broadband supply chain early, before they impact American businesses, workers, and consumers. I\u2019ll continue to fight for high-speed internet access for all Michiganders.\u201d\n\nPrevious supply chain disruptions have delayed broadband infrastructure projects, underscoring the need for transparency regarding the health of the telecommunications supply chain to avoid future equipment shortages as federal broadband programs prioritize high-speed, reliable and accessible networks.\n\nSpecifically, the bill would require the FCC\u2019s Communications Marketplace Report to describe to Congress the impact of supply chain disruptions on the timely completion or deployment of broadband infrastructure projects.\n\nThe full text of the legislation can be found here.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7272", "ICYMI: Estes Questions CBO Director About Agency Transparency at Budget Hearing", "2025-11-19", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) questioned Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Director Dr. Phillip Swagel at a Budget Committee hearing titled \u201cOversight of the Congressional Budget Office\u201d on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Read his remarks below and watch here.\n\nRemarks as Delivered\n\nDr. Swagel, thank you for being here. I know it\u2019s maybe sometimes positive and negative in terms of talking about the things you do and our things we want to celebrate, [or] things we want to criticize or complain about.\n\nI know a lot of our discussion today is about transparency, and I think it\u2019s very important as we talk about the agency and the existence for the last 50 years and how important a role the CBO plays in the legislative process.\n\nAs the designated scorekeepers, it\u2019s important that your reports [and] analysis are available. They have a dramatic impact on bills that come through the House and the Senate \u2013 as well as the public perception of what we pass and decisions we make regarding legislation.\n\nWe need to make sure that CBO works to improve scores, to actually make sure that they align with reality. Like any estimate, there\u2019s going to be some variation. Ideally, you want to minimize that variation up or down within closest tolerance as possible.\n\nUnfortunately, as we\u2019ve talked about previously in the committee room, CBO sometimes falls short of making those good estimates that help us make decisions. The biggest example I guess, most current, is that the Congressional Budget Office estimated the score for major pieces of legislation like the Democrats\u2019 Inflation Act.\n\nThe Energy and Climate provisions in that bill were estimated by CBO at $391 billion, but estimates by Credit Suisse were double at $800 billion, and Goldman Sachs came out with $1.2 trillion. I will note that shortly after the vote was passed, CBO did revise its estimates up through that process.\n\nMy struggle, and I think a lot of our struggle, is that we\u2019re literally making trillion-dollar decisions based on this information, so we want to make sure it\u2019s the best possible.\n\nThere [are] other examples we could talk about in terms of inflation estimates or budget deficit estimates. We need to make sure that we are as accurate as possible.\n\nOne of the things \u2026 I think we\u2019ve talked about in other conversations and hearings is some of the executive actions and some of the decisions around executive actions. I know that was a big description that was used in the trillion-dollar myths a year ago, with some of the discussions around that.\n\nAt the end of the day, we really want to make sure we\u2019re transparent in these things. As I\u2019ve talked about before, working on legislation that would actually require CBO to calculate through the baseline or include in the baseline an update on separate tables detailing some of those judicial or executive actions that have been issued since the last publication that would have a momentous amount \u2013 $50 billion or more. Looking at, how do we finalize executive orders and the impacts through that? I know there\u2019s a whole bunch of things that we talk about, and you\u2019ve been hit with a lot of things, ranging from health care and other issues and talking about estimates for economic growth.\n\nIn my work on Ways and Means, I pushed a lot on research and development and how R&D and other innovative ideas help grow the economy. How can we work moving forward?\n\nI want to give you an opportunity to at least have some comments on maybe proposals around executive actions or other things. How do we narrow down the estimates to more closely react and be able to refine that process?", 1, "2026-04-07T15:39:47Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mann-applauds-wotus-proposal", "Rep. Mann Applauds WOTUS Proposal", "2025-11-19", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Tracey Mann", "M000871", "mann.house.gov", "mann", "https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of the Army's proposed rule to clarify the definition of \u201cwaters of the United States\u201d (WOTUS). Rep. Mann released the following statement after the announcement.\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers always have been and always will be the original conservationists of the land,\u201d said Rep. Mann. \"While Washington bureaucrats would love to regulate every pond, ditch, and puddle from east to west, the Trump Administration's proposed WOTUS rule is a return to common sense. When government shrinks, freedom expands. This clear definition is a win for Kansas agriculture and private landowners and will restore certainty where it is long overdue.\"\n\nUpon publication in the Federal Register, the proposed rule will be open for a 45-day public comment period.\n\nEarlier this year, Rep. Mann commended the Trump Administration for their decision to revise WOTUS in a clear, simplified direction.\n\nRep. Mann has consistently fought against the abuse of the WOTUS rule. In December 2022, Rep. Mann blasted the Biden Administration\u2019s definition of WOTUS that expanded water to include ponds and streams. In January 2023, Rep. Mann led efforts to pressure the Biden Administration to rescind their premature WOTUS rule ahead of the Supreme Court\u2019s decision in Sackett v. EPA. In March 2023, Rep. Mann voted to advance a Congressional Review Act to overturn the Biden Administration\u2019s rule. After President Biden vetoed the bill, Rep. Mann voted to override that veto and defend America\u2019s farmers, ranchers, and agricultural producers.\n\nFollowing the Supreme Court\u2019s May 2023 ruling in Sackett v. EPA, Rep. Mann applauded the Court\u2019s unanimous decision to restrict EPA\u2019s overreach. In August 2023, Rep. Mann fired back at the Biden Administration\u2019s revised WOTUS rule that removed the \u201csignificant nexus\u201d standard for determining whether wetlands or waters are covered by the Clean Water Act. Rep. Mann also introduced legislation to establish an advisory committee at the U.S. Department of Agriculture to examine the impact of the WOTUS rule and overreaching regulations on agriculture production and the food supply chain.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=28D16566-5D1F-45B9-BD3E-44C173BBF1D8", "VIDEO: Sen. Moran Leads Hearing on Consequences of Government Shutdown on U.S. Aviation & Travel", "2025-11-19", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) \u2013 chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation \u2013 today led a hearing to examine the consequences of the recent 43-day government shutdown on the U.S. aviation system and how to make certain the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can be insulated from the impacts of possible future shutdowns.\n\n\u201cWe convened this hearing because of the importance of the aviation and travel industry, a vital component of our nation\u2019s economy, and trying to find ways to make certain that industry is stable, including in difficult times like a government shutdown,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cWe must do our part to enable the FAA and the Department of Transportation to make certain that America remains the standard for aviation and air safety.\u201d\n\n\u201cI introduced legislation in many Congresses that allows for the continuation of essential FAA activities in the future shutdowns,\u201d continued Sen. Moran. \u201cBy examining the delays, the cancelations, the staffing triggers and certification interruptions, we are laying the groundwork to support an industry that is critical to our country.\u201d\n\nIn March, Sen. Moran introduced the Aviation Funding Stability Act, which would provide certainty for the aviation industry during lapses in government funding by allowing the FAA to access funds to continue its critical operations and pay air traffic controllers.\n\nClick HERE to Watch Sen. Moran\u2019s Opening Remarks\n\nSen. Moran\u2019s remarks as delivered:\n\n\u201cI\u2019m pleased to be here, and I thank our witnesses for joining us this afternoon for what I hope is a valuable discussion and expect to be a valuable discussion. We convened this hearing because of the importance of the aviation and travel industry, a vital component of our nation\u2019s economy, and trying to find ways to make certain that industry is stable, including in difficult times like a government shutdown.\n\n\u201cThat stability is severely inhibited by the critical functions at the Federal Aviation Administration \u2013 when they\u2019re suspended or when they\u2019re interrupted, and when Congress fails to act, the FAA and the aviation industry suffer.\n\n\u201cI am pleased that the cancelations and delays plaguing our flights, airlines and airports are easing. One of the witnesses and I were on a flight that was delayed, but only for mechanical reasons this week, which has been different than it was previously. Our air traffic controllers are reporting to work and other essential activities at the FAA are back underway.\n\n\u201cThanksgiving, however, is just a few days away, and while we anticipate the airlines will be fully \u2013 or nearly fully \u2013 recovered come next week, lingering strain and fatigue on the system perhaps is to be expected. Roughly 31 million passengers are expected to fly next week for the holiday, but there may be lingering impacts on the system because of the shutdown. I look forward to the former Governor, Governor Sununu, speaking to us this afternoon, hopefully providing us with a roadmap as to what Americans flying next week will expect from the airlines.\n\n\u201cLast week, the U.S. Travel Association noted that more than $6 billion were lost in travel spending because of the inability to fly. We cannot afford, I\u2019m sure the airlines and others, the people who work in the airports and in aviation, cannot further afford the instability and chaos.\n\n\u201cOur recent inaction in Washington has undoubtedly deterred young people from pursuing careers as air traffic controllers or other aviation professionals\u2014a workforce we must prioritize.\n\n\u201cI hope that consideration of the fiscal year 2026 THUD \u2013 the transportation appropriation bill \u2013 will begin in the Senate this week. That is the plan, and we\u2019re working to try to accomplish that, and it will lay a groundwork for Congress to fully fund the Department of Transportation and the FAA with the resources it needs.\n\n\u201cSenate appropriators passed the THUD bill in July by a vote of 27 to 1 \u2013 very bipartisan demonstration there. Within this bill, we provided the Department of Transportation nearly $26 billion and the FAA nearly $20 billion between their operations and facility and equipment accounts, which fund air traffic control and modernization activities. This funding is in part there to allow Secretary Duffy and Administrator Bedford to modernize our national airspace system after decades of insufficient budget requests that merely sustained an outdated system. This issue received particular attention by me on January 29th, when the tragic circumstances occurred involving a flight from Wichita, Kansas, to DCA occurred. It was a moment that this Congress, this subcommittee and the administration all gathered around the idea of improving the safety of our airways.\n\n\u201cWe must do our part to enable the FAA and the Department of Transportation to make certain that America remains the standard for aviation and air safety. The sole integrator of the brand-new air traffic control system is set to be announced soon and will fully fund the Department of Transportation for FY26. It\u2019s a necessary step to modernizing our airspace. We will hear from industry about ways to potentially insulate the FAA from future government shutdowns.\n\n\u201cI introduced legislation in many Congresses that allows for the continuation of essential FAA activities in the event of future shutdowns. By examining the delays, the cancelations, the staffing triggers and certification interruptions, we are laying the groundwork to better support an industry that is critical to our country. Again, I thank all of our witnesses for being here, and I look forward to this discussion.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7269", "Estes Reacts to Proposed WOTUS Rule", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.\n\n\"For too long, overzealous bureaucrats in Washington have tried to micromanage the ponds and puddles in Kansas without regard for the conservation work of the men and women who care for the land each and every day,\" said Rep. Estes. \"The newly proposed WOTUS rule promotes clean water without inhibiting ag and energy producers and landowners. It upholds the Supreme Court's Sackett decision and works with Kansas farmers and ranchers, not against them, to be good stewards of our natural resources \u2013 something they've been doing for generations.\"\n\nBackground:\n\nMarch 2025 \u2013 Rep. Estes Applauds EPA Announcement\n\nNovember 2023 \u2013 Rep. Ron Estes Praises Restrictions to WOTUS, Limits on Lesser Prairie-Chicken Listing in Appropriations Bill\n\nAugust 2023 \u2013 Rep. Estes Condemns Revised WOTUS Rule\n\nMay 2023 \u2013 Rep. Estes Celebrates WOTUS Win for Kansas\n\nMarch 2023 \u2013 Rep. Estes Votes to End Disastrous WOTUS Rule\n\nDecember 2022 \u2013 Rep. Estes Denounces New WOTUS Rule", 1, "2026-04-07T15:39:47Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7270", "Estes Votes for Transparency, Protecting Victims in Epstein Files", "2025-11-18", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) released the following statement after voting in favor of providing greater transparency into the Epstein files while urging the Department of Justice to exercise extreme sensitivity regarding victims.\n\n\"Americans rightfully have a lot of questions surrounding the despicable Jeffrey Epstein, which is why I've supported the Oversight Committee's work to release tens of thousands of documents into the public already and why I voted to support today's resolution to instruct the Department of Justice to release files related to the investigation,\" said Rep. Estes. \"This is a vital step to restoring the foundational principle of transparency at all levels of government and a statement that abuse of any kind cannot be tolerated or excused. The responsibility of transparency also carries a responsibility of profound sensitivity regarding innocent victims, which is why I urge the DOJ to avoid the release of potentially graphic evidence that would only compound the trauma these individuals have already endured. Our commitment to justice requires both disclosure of critical facts and protection of innocent victims.\"", 1, "2026-04-07T15:39:47Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=46FDC50A-C743-4B1B-B03E-A14663A1FE7E", "Sen. Moran to Hold Hearing on Harmful Impacts to U.S. Aviation System Caused by Government Shutdown", "2025-11-13", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) \u2013 chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation \u2013 today announced he will convene a hearing to examine the harmful consequences to the U.S. aviation system caused by the recent government shutdown, and its impacts on the air traffic control system, airlines operations and training. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, November 19th, at 2:30 p.m. ET.\n\n\u201cThe government shutdown has severely impacted our already fragile aviation industry, and recovering from its effects will take time,\u201d said Chairman Moran. \u201cEarlier this year, we witnessed the vulnerabilities of our air system \u2013 all of which have been exacerbated by this shutdown \u2013 when a series of failures led to the mid-air collision on January 29, claiming 67 lives. As a result of the longest shutdown in American history, it was necessary for FAA to decrease the number of flights at major airports across the country. It\u2019s critical that we address the damage done and look at the long-term effects of the shutdown. I look forward to discussing with industry how Congress can work to alleviate the strain on air traffic controllers and TSA agents, as well as ensure safety for passengers and sustainable operations for our airlines, general and business aviation stakeholders.\u201d\n\nWitnesses:\n\nMr. Nick Daniels, President, National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA)\n\nFormer Governor Chris Sununu, President and Chief Executive Officer, Airlines for America (A4A)\n\nMr. Jim Viola, President and Chief Executive Officer, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)\n\nAdditional witnesses may be announced at a later date.\n\nHearing Details:\n\nWHAT: Full Committee Hearing titled \u201cFlying on Empty: How Shutdowns Threaten Air Safety, Travel, and the Economy\u201d\n\nWHEN: Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 2:30 p.m. ET\n\nLOCATION: Commerce Committee Hearing Room, Russell Senate Office Building, Room 253\n\nLIVESTREAM: The hearing will be livestreamed on the Senate Commerce Committee website and YouTube.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=772B6E5E-01B3-440D-A9FE-8A77594A5165", "Sen. Moran Introduces Legislation to Increase Access to Affordable Housing", "2025-11-13", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) reintroduced the Affordable Housing Expansion Act, legislation that would help address the shortage of affordable housing options by making targeted reforms to requirements under the Davis-Bacon Act, a 1930s-era labor law. These reforms would reduce labor costs and administrative burdens on residential construction contractors, which would free up capital that could be redirected toward building additional affordable housing.\n\n\u201cBuying a home is a part of the American dream that is currently out of reach for many families,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cReducing the burden of federal regulations will help homebuilders meet the demand for new homes, making homeownership a reality for more Kansans.\u201d\n\n\"The Davis-Bacon Act creates overly burdensome contractor mandates on federal assisted projects, by setting wage requirements that misrepresent real wages being paid in any given county,\" said Wess Galyon, President Emeritus of the Wichita Area Builders Association. \"The current rules result in higher direct labor costs on projects, and indirect costs related to administrative compliance and reporting. In addition to discouraging the promotion of affordable housing projects, these costs ultimately get passed on and drive housing affordability in the wrong direction. Reducing these burdens will make housing more attainable for more Americans, and we applaud Senator Moran for introducing this legislation.\"\n\n\u201cNAHB commends Senator Moran for introducing this bill, which will help lower housing costs by streamlining and modernizing Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements,\u201d said Buddy Hughes, Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). \u201cA Berkley study found that prevailing wage requirements raise construction costs by more than $30 per square foot. This means that current Davis-Bacon requirements are increasing construction costs by an at least $27,000 for an average 900 square foot apartment, which ultimately translates into higher rents. To solve the housing affordability crisis affecting our communities, Congress needs to look at all the factors driving up housing costs. The nation\u2019s home builders strongly support this legislation.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Mortgage Bankers Association commends Senator Moran for once again taking action to improve and encourage access to quality affordable housing,\u201d said Bill Killmer, Senior Vice President of Legislative and Political Affairs of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). \u201cThe improper application of Davis-Bacon wage rates is an unnecessary barrier to the modernization and development of multifamily housing, and this bill will help reduce the administrative burden and complexity for residential housing projects. MBA will continue to advocate on behalf of policies that both ensure a healthy real estate market and provide consumers with sustainable housing choices.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe Affordable Housing Expansion Act removes unnecessary barriers to construction and improves taxpayer value,\u201d said Kristen Swearingen, Vice President of Government Affairs of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). \u201cBy modernizing the Davis-Bacon wage determination process and reducing compliance burdens, this bill provides contractors, workers and taxpayers with accurate and clearly defined rates. ABC commends Sen. Moran for his leadership and urges Congress to advance this commonsense proposal.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nEnacted in 1931, the Davis-Bacon Act requires construction contractors involved in certain federally funded or federally assisted construction contracts, like those participating in various federal housing programs, to pay individuals working on the contract at least the prevailing wages of the vicinity in which the construction project is located.\n\nAs it stands, the Davis-Bacon Act can disincentivize the construction of affordable housing due to the high costs it places on construction contractors and the administrative burden that accompanies it.\n\nThe U.S. Department of Labor sets these prevailing wage rates by reviewing data submitted by construction contractors through voluntary surveys, which can be, at times, inaccurate or inconsistent.\n\nFull text of the legislation can be found here.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7263", "Estes Releases Statement After End of Democrat Shutdown", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) released the following statement after the Democrat shutdown, led by Senator Chuck Schumer, ended. Rep. Estes voted alongside his House Republican colleagues to fund the government on Sept. 19, but Senate Democrats kept the government closed for six weeks.\n\n\u201cFor 43 painful days, Senate Democrats held our government hostage and demanded we give in to their radical political agenda, causing the longest government shutdown in American history,\u201d said Rep. Estes. \u201cTonight, I voted with my House Republican colleagues on the final passage of the funding bill. With the government back open, Congressional Republicans are ready to enact President Trump\u2019s priorities and continue delivering wins for Kansans and the American people.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-07T15:39:47Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mann-votes-end-longest-shutdown-us-history", "Rep. Mann Votes to End Longest Shutdown in U.S. History", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Tracey Mann", "M000871", "mann.house.gov", "mann", "https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) voted to advance H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026, and reopen the federal government. H.R. 5371 passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 222-209. Rep. Mann released a statement after the vote.\n\n\u201cFor 43 days, Washington Democrats have kept the federal government closed as they threw a temper tantrum and demanded that Congress adopt radical policy proposals like taxpayer-funded health care for illegal immigrants,\u201d said Rep. Mann. \u201cEveryday Americans paid the price for Democrats\u2019 political theatre with delayed government benefits, missed paychecks, and chaos across our nation\u2019s airports. I proudly voted to bring this shutdown to an end once and for all. The hardworking men and women who are the backbone of our country should not have their lives upended in exchange for Democrats\u2019 pandering to their leftist base. I\u2019m hopeful Congress can put Americans first and get back to passing the agenda that House Republicans were elected to deliver on.\"\n\nOn September 19, 2025, Rep. Mann supported the House continuing resolution to fund the federal government. Shortly after the federal government closed, Rep. Mann published an op-ed underscoring the toll the shutdown put on American families.\n\nThe Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act will now go to President Trump\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-derek-schmidt-statement-house-vote-reopen-federal-government", "Rep. Derek Schmidt statement on House vote to reopen the federal government", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Derek Schmidt", "S001228", "schmidt.house.gov", "schmidt", "https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 (November 12, 2025) \u2013 Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) tonight issued the following statement on the House\u2019s vote to reopen the federal government:\n\n\u201cThis long, unnecessary, and harmful federal government shutdown is finally about to end. On September 19, I voted to keep our government open, and tonight\u2014after nearly two months of wrangling in the United States Senate\u2013I voted to reopen it so our troops, people who rely on nutrition assistance, federal employees and contractors, the flying public, and many other Kansans whose lives have been disrupted can begin returning to normal. As I have said many times, this shutdown should have never happened. I appreciate the eight Senate Democrats who finally were willing to break with their party so that much-needed government functions and services resume.\n\n\u201cThe bill that we sent to President Trump tonight will not only temporarily fund the government through January, but also funds key programs for Kansas for the entire 2026 fiscal year. That includes fully funding veterans\u2019 services, farm programs and nutrition assistance that now have full-year certainty and stability. I am particularly pleased that we were able to increase total funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs by $38 billion over last year\u2019s funding level.\n\n\u201cI am hopeful Congress will now use the next two months to proceed under the regular order of finalizing full-year funding for the remaining government agencies and programs. No more hostage-taking, no more demands for backroom deals. Just line-by-line scrutiny of the federal budget and a continued focus on restraining the unsustainable spending growth that has put us $38 trillion in debt and fueled the out-of-control inflation of the past four years. The American people deserve far better than these past two months.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=F44CF4C8-A55C-4517-A758-554C57C7D0F9", "Sen. Moran Statement on the Passing of Don McChesney", "2025-11-12", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today released the following statement on the passing of Don McChesney:\n\n\u201cI\u2019m saddened by the passing of Don McChesney, someone who lived a life of character, kindness and dedication to his community and his neighbors. He loved his work as the curator of the High Banks Hall of Fame and National Midget Auto Racing Museum, a place he was instrumental in founding and where he loved to share his passion for auto racing and history with the community. He leaves behind a legacy of investment in others and an enthusiasm for life and learning. Robba and I extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Karol, his family and all who knew and loved him.\u201d\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=DD0438AD-7D96-4784-BB1E-EE4B63A48245", "VIDEO: Sen. Moran Rings Nasdaq Opening Bell in Honor of Veterans Day with Marines & Veterans", "2025-11-11", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "NEW YORK \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) \u2013 chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans\u2019 Affairs \u2013 rang the Nasdaq Exchange Opening Bell today in honor of Veterans Day with members of the U.S. Marine Corps and veterans on board the USS Intrepid in New York City. During the ceremony, Sen. Moran paid tribute to his father, Raymond Edwin Moran, a World War II veteran who served in the Army in North Africa and Italy.\n\n\u201cAcross America, from the prairies of my home state of Kansas to the skyline of New York City, people are expressing their gratitude and respect for those who serve our country today and for those who served our country in the past,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cI think sometimes we think we have no heroes. But we look to the basketball courts and the amphitheaters of musicians, whenever the person that we work with, or down the hall, or across the street, served our nation in uniform.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt wasn\u2019t too long ago that I was at the World War II Memorial, and I went to the Kansas pillar, and I thought of my dad back home in small-town western Kansas who was a World War II veteran, so I called him on my flip phone,\u201d continued Sen. Moran. \u201cFortunately, I got the answering machine, and I said, \u2018Dad, I\u2019m at the World War II Memorial, built in your honor, and I want you to know that I respect you, I thank you for your service, Dad, and I love you.\u2019 \u201d\n\n\u201cWe stand together as Americans, and say to those who serve in uniform, and those who served us in the past, we respect you, we thank you for your service, and we love you,\u201d concluded Sen. Moran.\n\nClick HERE to Watch Sen. Moran\u2019s Remarks During Nasdaq Opening Bell\n\nTo download a full video of the ceremony, click HERE.\n\nSen. Moran\u2019s remarks as delivered:\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s such a privilege to be here on this Veterans Day. Across America, from the prairies of my home state of Kansas to the skyline of New York City, people are expressing their gratitude and respect for those who serve our country today and for those who served our country in the past.\n\n\u201cOur country needs role models, needs to see what those who put country above self, or above politics, or above party, what difference they made, and we need to role model ourselves after them.\n\n\u201cI think sometimes we think we have no heroes. But we look to the basketball courts and the amphitheaters of musicians, whenever the person that we work with, or down the hall, or across the street, served our nation in uniform. And today is the day, as we should every day, when we say, thank you for your service.\n\n\u201cIt wasn\u2019t too long ago that I was at the World War II Memorial, and I went to the Kansas pillar, and I thought of my dad back home in small town western Kansas who was a World War II veteran, so I called him on my flip phone. Fortunately, I got the answering machine, and I said, \u2018Dad, I\u2019m at the World War II Memorial, built in your honor, and I want you to know that I respect you, I thank you for your service, Dad, and I love you.\u2019\n\n\u201cOn my way to walking back to my office, my flip phone rang again. It was my dad, and he said, \u2018Gerald, what did you say? I couldn\u2019t understand you.\u2019 And so, I repeat what I told my dad today, because I can no longer repeat it to him.\n\n\u201cAnd on behalf of all Americans, we on this day, and everyday hereafter, we stand together as Americans, and say to those who serve in uniform, and those who served us in the past, we respect you, we thank you for your service, and we love you. God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.\u201d\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=BBD9222A-D1E6-476E-B5A9-31D0F28843E7", "PASSED: Appropriations Package & Short-term Funding Deal to Reopen the Government", "2025-11-10", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) \u2013 a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee \u2013 tonight voted to pass an appropriations package that included federal investments for Kansas military capabilities at Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth and other Kansas priorities. This package includes a short-term continuing resolution that will reopen and fund the entire federal government until January 30, 2026. This legislation now heads to the U.S. House of Representatives to be passed.\n\n\u201cAfter weeks of stalemate in the U.S. Senate, we voted tonight to advance three annual appropriations bills and a short-term funding bill \u2013 a major step towards reopening the government,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cI helped secure federal resources to make significant investments in Kansas to modernize infrastructure across our state and bolster defense capabilities at Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth. This legislation also included annual federal funding for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and U.S. Department of Agriculture, allowing the continued operation of critical programs like SNAP and WIC. The impacts of the government shutdown won\u2019t be immediately resolved, but I will continue working to make certain our aviation system and those who keep it running are supplied with the resources they need. Congress must work diligently to pass the remaining appropriations bills before the end of January to prevent another useless and unnecessary shutdown.\u201d\n\nNew Investments Secured for Fort Riley:\n\n$26 million for Fort Riley to construct a new Air Traffic Control Tower.\n\n$5.5 million for Fort Riley\u2019s Intermodal Railyard Access Control Facility to modernize the security infrastructure surrounding the Fort Riley intermodal railyard.\n\n$2.6 million for Fort Riley\u2019s Intermodal Railyard Staging Area to improve the staging area at the Fort Riley intermodal railyard, allowing the 1st Infantry Division to position equipment for more efficient loading and unloading onto the rail line; this improvement supports the 1st Infantry Division\u2019s rapid deployment requirements.\n\nNew Investments Secured for Fort Leavenworth:\n\n$8 million for Fort Leavenworth to add a new fire station to support faster response time to fires on the post.\n\n$900,000 for Fort Leavenworth to update the current facility which is inadequate and has been used for several years beyond its expected lifespan.\n\nAdditional New Investments Secured for Kansas:\n\n$4.2 million for Rattlesnake Creek Watershed to provide long-term, sustainable agricultural water management within the Rattlesnake Creek subbasin.\n\n$1.8 million to support the new nursing program at Barclay College.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=3D2D914B-2B7F-41D3-AB8C-5877090DF4BA", "VIDEO: Sen. Moran Speaks on Senate Floor on Harmful Impacts of Government Shutdown on U.S. Aviation", "2025-11-09", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) \u2013 chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation and a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee \u2013 spoke on the Senate floor tonight on the harmful impacts of the government shutdown on U.S. aviation and to urge the passage of a clean spending bill to reopen the government. The ongoing government shutdown is the longest in history.\n\n\u201cExactly one month ago today, I stood on the Senate floor and spoke about the impact that the government shutdown was having on an already troubled aviation system,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cAnd that the traveling public was facing tremendous challenges with that shutdown, and I cautioned against prolonging it. Now thirty days later, we\u2019re still here.\"\n\n\u201cThanksgiving is only eighteen days away,\u201d continued Sen. Moran. \u201cAmericans are purchasing, or would have purchased, or have already purchased tickets to be with their families. If we remain in a shutdown much longer, it will become increasingly difficult for airlines to deliver on their promises to their customers.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe circumstances we are in cannot continue,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cWe must reopen the government. I urge my colleagues to pass a clean, continuing resolution to reopen the government.\u201d\n\nClick HERE to Watch Sen. Moran\u2019s Full Remarks\n\nSen. Moran\u2019s full remarks as delivered:\n\n\u201cExactly one month ago today, I stood on the Senate floor and spoke about the impact that the government shutdown was having on an already troubled aviation system, and that the traveling public was facing tremendous challenges with that shutdown, and I cautioned against prolonging it. Now thirty days later, we\u2019re still here.\n\n\u201cI was concerned that if the shutdown continued, it could force the closure of parts of our airspace and lead to further reductions in the air traffic controller workforce. Unfortunately, both these concerns have materialized in what has become the longest government shutdown in our nation\u2019s history. With 2,300 cancelations and counting today, Sunday, it will go down as one of the worst days in air travel. I\u2019ve never seen anything good come from a government shutdown.\n\n\u201cLapses in federal funding have made it harder for families to access SNAP benefits, HEAD START programs have been put on pause and thousands of federal employees are unable to receive a paycheck. This disfunction is damaging enough to our constituents and economy here at home, but it also sends a dangerous message to the watching world. It demonstrates to our allies that we are an unreliable partner, and it signals to our adversaries that we can\u2019t work together to meet even the most fundamental responsibilities of Congress.\n\n\u201cAs this shutdown continue, I want to particularly focus on the impact that this lapsed funding is having on the aviation industry. TSA Agents and air traffic controllers have had to continue working while missing two paychecks. It\u2019s a stressful job, and one that has grown increasingly more difficult throughout the year.\n\n\u201cCombine that with uncertainty on how to pay rent, put food on the table and gas in your car, it is no surprise that we\u2019re seeing more and more controllers not show up to work. We are already facing a shortage of controllers and now we are seeing more having to pick up second jobs to pay the bills or seeing some quit entirely. Our inaction and our inability to gain consensus are deterring young people interested in futures such as air traffic controllers or other aviation professionals from pursuing those careers.\n\n\u201cThe vulnerabilities in our aviation system have led Secretary Sean Duffy to begin reducing flights by 10 percent at 40 major airports. Airlines, businesses and general aviation alike are cutting into their operations to make certain that airspace is as safe as possible. It is critical to know that these impacts are not lopsided on those high traffic areas. Small and medium hub airports, such as we have in Kansas, that connect to those 40, are experiencing this pain just as much. While this is a painful step, it is necessary for the safety of the traveling public, and I support Secretary Duffy\u2019s decision.\n\n\u201cAmerican Airlines indicated to me they have canceled more than 240 flights yesterday, and delayed more than a thousand flights, impacting more than 150,000 passengers. Airlines for America said that staffing shortages disrupted the flights of more than 4 million passengers from October 1st to November 7th on their partner airlines. And that was before the mandatory reductions were put in place by the Department of Transportation. We can expect more cuts if we do not reopen the government.\n\n\u201cWe saw how fragile our air system is \u2013 and it\u2019s the reason I highlight aviation and the consequences of the shutdown tonight. We saw how fragile our air system earlier this year when a series of failures led to a midair collision on January the 29th, which claimed the lives of 67, including those of Kansas.\n\n\u201cThat accident forced Congress and our nation to reckon with an issue that has plagued us for decades: why have we not effectively modernized our air space system? Since that crash, steps have been taken to train more controllers and improve the aviation system, including a $12.5 billion dollar investment in modernizing our air space, but those efforts are becoming much more difficult to accomplish during a shutdown.\n\n\u201cUnfortunately, the position the aviation industry finds itself in today cannot be easily solved, but we cannot even begin to solve it unless we reopen the government. Every day we remain shut down the fragility of this system intensifies.\n\n\u201cThanksgiving is only eighteen days away. Americans are purchasing, or would have purchased, or have already purchased tickets to be with their families. If we remain in a shutdown much longer, it will become increasingly difficult for airlines to deliver on their promises to their customers.\n\n\u201cThe circumstances we are in cannot continue. We must reopen the government. I urge my colleagues to pass a clean, continuing resolution to reopen the government. I\u2019m committed to working with my colleagues to address the concerns they have, and any issues brought forth by the shutdown.\n\n\u201cWe must return to regular order, advance a clean CR and these three appropriation bills, and then consider further appropriations and these issues that many of us care so deeply about. Our constituents and our nation depend upon us to do so.\u201d\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=F156B22E-7921-4828-9271-03C2C8E0B237", "Sen. Moran Statement on the Senate Filibuster", "2025-11-06", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) \u2013 today released the following statement on the Senate filibuster:\n\n\"When Sen. Schumer proposed eliminating the filibuster, I opposed that idea, and my views on the importance of the filibuster have not changed. The filibuster provides senators \u2013 even when in the minority \u2013 the ability to stop bad policies and forces us to find common ground to better serve our constituents.\u201d\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=AE4C30DD-DD53-4440-9F2C-37D7D02FD253", "Sen. Moran Statement on FAA\u2019s Plan to Decrease Air Traffic Due to Government Shutdown", "2025-11-05", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) \u2013 Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation \u2013 today released the following statement in response to the announcement by U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean Duffy that air traffic will be cut by 10 percent at 40 high-traffic airports beginning Friday if the federal government is still in a shutdown:\n\n\u201cThe on-going staffing shortage of air traffic controllers due to the government shutdown has made a reduction in flights a harsh but necessary consequence of this useless shutdown. We must keep our skies safe. It\u2019s long-past time to fund the government, pay our air traffic controllers and TSA agents and keep our airspace safe and fully functioning.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nThe U.S. air traffic control (ATC) system already faced staffing shortages before the government shutdown began on October 1st. Since then, the shutdown has worsened the staffing shortage as air traffic controllers are working without pay, leading to a spike in air traffic controller absences.\n\nDOT stated that 84% of all delay minutes on November 2 were due to staffing shortages. This number is usually 5%.\n\nToday, more than 2,133 flights in and out of the United States were delayed and 146 were cancelled.\n\nOn October 9, Sen. Moran spoke on the Senate floor about the harmful consequences of the shutdown on the U.S. aviation system.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7256", "ICYMI: Estes Joins Mornings with Maria", "2025-11-04", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) joined Mornings with Maria to discuss the ongoing Schumer Shutdown, France\u2019s decision to double their digital services tax, and more. Watch the interview on YouTube and Rumble.\n\n\u201cWell, I do expect that the Democrats at some point in time are gonna have to come to their senses and realize what damage they're causing. You look at the \u2026 93,000 Kansans who are suffering because of food stamps, and so many TSA agents and law enforcement, border patrol, folks that are actually working to protect us, that aren't getting paid and having to figure that out.\n\n\u201cThe Democrats continue to do the filibuster and [are] trying to say that they want to keep these COVID bailouts on the Obamacare [enhanced tax subsidies] and, unfortunately, I do think the election is \u2026 one of those reasons why they were trying to hold this leverage, through the election, to help them on the elections across so many of the states in the country. But now they've got to come down and \u2026 focus on what it takes to operate the government.\u201d\n\nOn what the outcomes of the off-year elections could mean for the crumbling Democratic party:\n\n\u201cI do think it'll have an impact. The problem is, you could argue which way it goes. I mean, if you end up having the governorship split between New Jersey and Virginia, then what's the Democrats' talking points after that? \u2026 I don't know \u2026 how they're gonna get themselves out of the corner they've backed themselves into. It really is problematic what they've created and done.\u201d\n\nOn France\u2019s discriminatory tax against American companies:\n\n\u201cIt really is discriminatory against U.S. companies. We've been focusing, and the U.S. Treasury has been working really well with OECD, to fix some of the problems with this Pillar Two global minimum tax they've had out there.\n\n\u201cAnd so now France is coming back and doubling their digital services tax, trying to attack any company that uses electronics. And they specifically \u2026 doubled it, but they also changed the definition of who would be liable for it.\n\n\u201cSo basically, it's targeting U.S.-based companies because of the size of the company. And it's inappropriate. It's actually a direct attack on the United States and U.S.-based businesses. I've been a vocal critic through that.\n\n\u201cPresident Trump has some tools like Section 301 and even Section 891 as ways to help out. I mean, we're more than willing in Congress, a lot of us in terms of being able to stand up for U.S. businesses. We can pass additional legislation to help address this.\n\n\u201cThis is just the wrong direction for us to go, for the world to go, as we're working at how do we maintain good trade and [a] good global economy?\u201d", 1, "2026-04-07T15:39:47Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=CA41FE77-C745-4D8A-B48C-FF3CD1147B4A", "Sen. Moran Leads Delegation in Urging CMS to Approve Kansas\u2019 Application for Rural Health Transformation Program", "2025-11-04", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) today led members of the Kansas Congressional delegation, U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01), Derek Schmidt (KS-02), Ron Estes (KS-04) and Sharice Davids (KS-03), in expressing their support for the State of Kansas\u2019 Rural Health Transformation Plan application to access funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services\u2019 (CMS) Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program.\n\nThis $50 billion rural provider fund was created in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and helps identify the root challenges facing rural health providers and invests in solutions to improve outcomes for struggling providers.\n\n\u201cThe Kansas State Plan was developed through an extensive stakeholder engagement progress,\u201d wrote the delegation. \u201cIts initiatives are strategically aligned with the program\u2019s core objectives: restoring and sustaining the health of rural America, ensuring sustainable access to care, strengthening the health care workforce, advancing innovative care models, and fostering technology-driven solutions.\u201d\n\n\u201cRural health care providers recognize the urgent need for transformation,\u201d continued the delegation. \u201cYet, with many providers operating under persistent negative margins, they face significant barriers to making the critical investments necessary for regional collaboration, clinical integration, and modern technology solutions. The targeted initiatives supported by this Program will empower rural providers to move beyond the current \u2018sick care\u2019 paradigm and toward a sustainable, value-driven system that enables every Kansan to live a healthier, more productive life.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe respectfully urge CMS to give full and favorable consideration to the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Plan,\u201d concluded the delegation. \u201cWe believe it will not only benefit rural communities throughout our state but also serve as a model for modernizing and sustaining rural health care delivery.\u201d\n\nThe full letter can be found here and below.\n\nDear Administrator Oz:\n\nAs members of the Kansas Congressional delegation, we write to express our strong and united support for the Rural Health Transformation Plan submitted by the State of Kansas in response to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Rural Health Transformation Program.\n\nThe Kansas State Plan was developed through an extensive stakeholder engagement process. Its initiatives are strategically aligned with the program\u2019s core objectives: restoring and sustaining the health of rural America, ensuring sustainable access to care, strengthening the health care workforce, advancing innovative care models, and fostering technology-driven solutions.\n\nRural health care providers across Kansas recognize the urgent need for transformation. Yet, with many providers operating under persistent negative margins, they face significant barriers to making the critical investments necessary for regional collaboration, clinical integration, and modern technology solutions. The targeted initiatives supported by this Program will empower rural providers to move beyond the current \u201csick care\u201d paradigm and toward a sustainable, value-driven system that enables every Kansan to live a healthier, more productive life.\n\nWe are confident that our state\u2019s rural health providers will enthusiastically embrace these initiatives to strengthen care delivery and improve health outcomes in their communities. Each member of our delegation stands ready to provide any assistance necessary to ensure the success of this plan.\n\nWe respectfully urge CMS to give full and favorable consideration to the Kansas Rural Health Transformation Plan. We believe it will not only benefit rural communities throughout our state but also serve as a national model for modernizing and sustaining rural health care delivery.\n\nThank you for your leadership and continued commitment to advancing innovation and health care outcomes in rural America.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7248", "ICYMI: Estes Joins Capitol Report", "2025-11-03", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "On China\u2019s rare earth export restrictions:\n\n\u201cIt really was a disruptive thing when China said that several weeks ago \u2026 When we look at how critical rare earth minerals are for all the things we want to do going forward, it's so important that we have \u2026 all countries, including China, follow free and fair trade practices. I mean that's kind of the point that's made our economic engine in the world grow and continue to grow and continue to help individuals.\u201d\n\nOn what talks with Xi Jinping should look like:\n\n\u201c... Looking at President Trump's discussions with President Xi is looking at \u2026 how can we help make the economic ties between the United States and China stronger? How can we make sure that China practices and follows those fair trade trade practices that we've talked about? And I also would hope that he would look and talk about fentanyl and some of the drug issues that are so devastating for so many of our American citizens.\u201d\n\nOn the progress of stopping fentanyl and other drugs from China from coming across our borders:\n\n\u201cI think the biggest improvement that we've seen so far is just the enforcement that President Trump's been putting on the border in terms of making sure that \u2026 we don't have more people crossing the border illegally. And as a result, there's less fentanyl coming into the country through those means. But the overall practice that China has in providing those precursors and or maybe providing fentanyl itself to actually use in the smuggling trade is not characteristic of what you would expect of a good trading partner.\u201d\n\nOn what Congressman Estes hopes to see come out of a trade deal with the United States and China:\n\n\u201cI am hopeful that as part of these discussions that China is willing to to be engaged and say that it's important enough to the Chinese economy that they actually act like a fair trading partner so that we can address those issues and make sure that we minimize those negative consequences of things like [drug] smuggling.\u201d\n\nOn China\u2019s human rights abuses:\n\n\u201cChina has a long history of human rights abuses, whether it's related to Christians, whether it's to the Falun Gong, or whether it's to the Uyghurs. But also just from a standpoint of slave trade practices and using that in their economy \u2026 In the past \u2026 a lot of leadership, whether it's the United States or in other countries around the world, have backed away because China objected to bringing up commentary about their human rights abuses. President Trump hasn't done that.\n\n\u201cHe's been willing to stand up and say, \u2018We need to make sure that good practices are followed\u2019 and [he\u2019s] been willing to push forward some of his tariffs and some of his other leading points on trade to actually make sure that some of these unfair practices are addressed.\u201d\n\nOn potential outcomes of President Trump\u2019s meeting with Xi Jinping:\n\n\u201cI look forward to having some good dialogue when they meet and, ultimately, I do think it'll take a long time because some of these things, I think, are built into the Chinese economy and they may have to figure out that in their own self-best interest is to agree, to head in a right direction, and act the same way that we would expect our trade partners to react if we want to have trade partners that are considered most favored nation status.\u201d\n\nOn what may transpire after President Trump\u2019s meeting with Xi Jinping:\n\n\u201cPresident Trump's knows there's going to be heat, I mean just like other presidents knew there were going to be heat, but they didn't address it, whereas President Trump's been willing \u2026 to take the slings and arrows, if you would, in terms of the criticisms that would come at him, but he was willing to address and and focus on what's what's the right thing to do.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-07T15:39:47Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7254", "ICYMI: Estes Joins Voice of Reason with Andy Hooser", "2025-11-03", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "On the ongoing Schumer Shutdown:\n\n\u201cIt's just another Schumer Shutdown that basically [the Democrats] don't want to talk about funding the government. And the bad part about it is, that this particular funding bill was something that they've already voted on, basically, 13 times when we were under President Biden when he was in office.\n\n\u201cAs recently as this last spring, they voted for the basic, same funding levels. So, the whole purpose there is that they're focusing on \u2026 trying to make it a story about healthcare and a distraction from really what their responsibility is: to fund the government. All of these Democrats that are voting to not fund the government [are] causing real pain for real people. And now, at least the Democrats are saying that they recognize it's causing pain for people, but they're using it as a political leverage point. And that's a sad way for people being in a leadership role, an American leadership role, to treat American citizens.\u201d\n\nOn Democrats playing leverage games instead of working to fund the government:\n\n\u201cIt is just a political game that they're playing instead of trying to focus on doing their job, doing their responsibility, which is funding the government. And yeah, there's going to be differences and debate about how much our total appropriations should be for 2026 [and] going forward. But let's keep the government open while we're having that discussion and finalizing that.\n\n\u201cAnd that's why we created this CR, this continuing resolution, until November 21st. When we voted on it back in September, it was to actually be able to have some time for the appropriations committees to sit through and come up with \u2026 How much are we going to spend on Health and Human Services? How much are we going to spend on defense? How much are we going to spend for the Agriculture department? And with the shutdown, those discussions aren't happening.\u201d\n\nOn reopening the government and how to fund it into next year:\n\n\u201cThe bill that the Republicans passed out of the House of Representatives sets November 21st as the deadline for the continuing resolution to move forward. The Democrats in the Senate are filibustering it and have voted it down, voted to keep the government closed. So, obviously, if it was going to take six or seven weeks for the appropriations folks to work through the process, then that date would have to be changed to some degree.\n\n\u201cThe Democrats are going to have to come to the table and stop the filibuster, and vote to open the government, whether it's on November 21st, or whether it moves it to a date in January or something, that actually provides enough time for these discussions to be happening.\u201d\n\nOn the negative impacts of the Schumer Shutdown on Americans and the economy:\n\n\u201cWell, if you look at the number of workers that are operating under the federal government, there's a little over two million civilian workers, and roughly the same number if you add up the military and the postal service. The reason I break those out is just because of the way they're funded.\n\n\u201cSo we're talking about the salaries for those four million people. Now, there's 100 million other people that are working in the economy and actually going about their daily business, doing their jobs \u2026 It has a little bit of an impact \u2026 But the bigger issue is going to be that starting last week, there's no paycheck at all for any of those workers.\n\n\u201cThat's going to become particularly burdensome \u2026 for those individuals. Whether they're trying to pay their mortgage or pay their car payment or go to the grocery store or the drugstore to get medicine for their kids. And that's a piece that's going to be very painful for these individuals that are involved in this. It's really sad that the Democrats are continuing to filibuster and use this as a political leverage point.\u201d\n\nOn working to achieve a balanced budget:\n\n\u201cWell, we've slowly made some progress. We've got so much more to do. I mean, the problem is, one out of [every] five dollars that the federal government spends is being borrowed, which means we've got a big problem we've got to work on and address and sort through.\n\n\u201c... You start to get complaints from the government workers who actually run a program, you get complaints from the advocates who cheer on a particular program, and then you get complaints from the people that get paid through a particular program. So you have a lot of folks that are complaining that they want to keep their program. It's a delicate balance as we go through this.\n\n\u201cA lot of things, some things you can stop right away, but a lot of things you kind of need to phase down through that process. And unfortunately, as Ronald Reagan said, a federal government program is the closest thing to eternal life because it just wants to keep going.\u201d\n\nOn enforcing work requirements to be eligible for government programs:\n\n\u201cIt's one of the things we highlighted in the Big Beautiful Bill, that we worked on for the Working Families Tax Cuts Act this summer \u2026 American people are generous people, and we're going to continue to be generous to help folks that need a hand up. But there's also some expectations that if you're an able-bodied adult and you're receiving, say, Medicaid, which is what we talked about with the One Big Beautiful Bill, was that you're able-bodied, you don't have children, you ought to be working.\u201d\n\n\u201cEven if it's twenty hours a week, or if not working, then go working on [an] education or doing volunteer work in order to get this free healthcare that American taxpayers are paying for you.\u201d\n\nOn Democrats attempting to justify their ongoing government shutdown:\n\n\u201cThey're just making up different stories as they walk along, trying to find something to justify what they're doing. It's just a political game that they want to play, which is kind of sad because it, I mean, even now they're starting to admit it's hurting everyday people.\n\n\u201cWhen we talk about the folks in the district \u2026 whether they're needing support from a food stamp program or whether they're \u2026 trying to buy a house, and if it's in a flood zone, they can't get flood insurance because that was part of the CR that was going to be extended, the flood insurance program. And \u2026 it's a sad way to treat your fellow American citizens, [which] is what they're doing.\u201d\n\nOn Democrats\u2019 demands in the government funding bill and hypocrisy on the expiring Obamacare enhanced tax credits:\n\n\u201cThe demands they're making are that they take $50 billion away from rural hospitals and that they go out and make sure that the illegal aliens keep their free Medicaid and health care.\n\n\u201cI think a lot of this is built around the whole concept that Obamacare is failing, and they're seeing it. They covered it up with the COVID bailout and now the COVID bailout's ending the way they structured it.\n\n\u201cIt was the Democrats that chose to end this on December of 2025 because they thought that was enough for them to cover it. And it's getting worse and worse. Premiums are going up, taxpayers are paying more, and this goes back to the basic Obamacare that's going to be struggling without the COVID bailout.\u201d\n\nOn when the government will open:\n\n\u201cI don't have a good solid crystal ball. I think they're going to play around with this until after the elections next week because they don't want to disrupt the . . .Virginia and New Jersey governor elections. I just don't think it's going to work out well for them, and it's American people who are suffering because of what the Democrats are doing.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-07T15:39:47Z", "2026-04-07T20:18:39Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=412DC363-9D1C-4E4E-B00D-E2430CC4BC28", "Sen. Moran Statement on the Passing of Steve Morris", "2025-11-02", "2025", "2025-11", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today released the following statement following the passing of Steve Morris, former Kansas Senate President:\n\n\u201cI am saddened to learn of the passing of Steve Morris, my longtime friend and a dedicated public servant. He served with me in the Kansas Senate, where he was the Senate President from 2005 to 2013. Steve also served our nation as a pilot in the United States Air Force. He was a thoughtful, principled and dedicated statesman who represented Kansans well. Steve loved Kansas and had friends everywhere. He and his wife Barb had a special concern for the citizens of Southwest Kansas and fiercely advocated for our part of the state. Robba and I respected and admired Steve and loved him and his family. We send our condolences to his family and all those whose lives he touched. We will miss him deeply.\u201d\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"], ["https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mann-hosts-fifth-annual-military-academy-nomination-day", "Rep. Mann Hosts Fifth Annual Military Academy Nomination Day", "2025-10-31", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Tracey Mann", "M000871", "mann.house.gov", "mann", "https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "ABILENE, KS \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) hosted his fifth annual Congressional Military Academy Nomination Day. As the Representative for the Big First District in Congress, Rep. Mann has the privilege of offering military academy nominations to four of the five U.S. service academies for students in the district. The interviews took place in President Dwight D. Eisenhower's hometown of Abilene, Kansas.\n\n\"One of my greatest honors in Congress is nominating students from the Big First to attend our nation\u2019s service academies,\u201d said Rep. Mann. \u201cThe students interviewed today represent the best of Kansas, and we are lucky to have such bright minds with a desire to serve our country and grow into the next generation of military leaders. It is a real honor to host the military academy selection committee in the childhood hometown of five-star U.S. Army General and son of Kansas, President Dwight D. Eisenhower. I am grateful to the panel for lending their expertise and unique perspectives to the selection process. We look forward to seeing these ambitious and thoughtful students\u2019 success in the years to come.\u201d\n\nRep. Mann appointed a panel of distinguished Kansans from the Big First District with extensive public service or U.S. military experience to assist in the nomination process. The four-person panel included:\n\nMary Eisenhower: granddaughter of President Eisenhower and Chairman Emeritus of People to People International\n\nCraig Bowser: retired U.S. Army Reserve Officer, Kansas State Senator for the 1st District\n\nSFC (Ret.) Bobby Cox: commander of VFW Post 2715, former Kansas State VFW Commander\n\nMichael Utz: retired Garden City Police Chief and U.S. Air Force Veteran, Finney County Commissioner\n\nEight students in the district applied for a military academy nomination through Rep. Mann's office. In the coming weeks, the panel will notify the students whom they have chosen to receive these competitive nominations.\n\nRep. Mann is a former member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and a strong supporter of America\u2019s U.S. military service members.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=1356CC0D-134D-42FB-B95E-9892B76D7397", "Sen. Moran: If you know someone who needs evacuation assistance from Jamaica, please contact my office immediately", "2025-10-31", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) is offering assistance to Kansans who are seeking help in evacuating from Jamaica due to Hurricane Melissa:\n\n\u201cThe devastation and loss left in the wake of Hurricane Melissa are heartbreaking and has made it extremely difficult for commercial flights to resume operations in Jamaica. It is my priority to make certain that any Kansans who are currently in affected regions of Jamaica are able to safely make it home. If you, your loved ones or your colleagues need help in evacuating due to Hurricane Melissa, I urge you to reach out to my office immediately.\u201d\n\nTo request assistance, contact Sen. Moran\u2019s office at casework@moran.senate.gov or by calling 202-224-6521.\n\nFor those traveling abroad: the U.S. Department of State offers the Smart Travel Enrollment Program \u2013 a free service that allows U.S. citizens and nationals to enroll their trip abroad so the U.S. Department of State can accurately and quickly contact them in case of emergency.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7246", "Estes Releases Statement on Arrest of Third Murder Suspect of Intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym", "2025-10-30", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) released a statement on the arrest announcement of a third suspect tied to the murder of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, an intern in Rep. Estes\u2019 Washington, D.C., office. Tarpinian-Jachym interned during the Summer 2025 term and was murdered in Washington, D.C., on June 30, 2025.\n\n\u201cThe announcement of a third arrest tied to the murder of my intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym is another step closer to bringing closure to this tragedy,\u201d said Rep. Estes. \u201cThanks to the work of U.S. Attorney Pirro, the detectives at Metropolitan Police Department, and others who have worked diligently to bring these suspects in, this case is closer to being solved. Eric\u2019s life was cut short far too quickly. He will never be forgotten by those who loved and knew him. My prayers are with his family as they process this new development.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nSeptember 2025 \u2013 Estes Releases Statement on Arrests for the Murder of Intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym\n\nSeptember 2025 \u2013 Estes and Colleagues Host Press Conference on the D.C. Crime Crackdown\n\nJuly 2025 \u2013 ICYMI: Estes Joins Fox & Friends\n\nJuly 2025 \u2013 Rep. Estes Expresses Condolences To Family Of Intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:10:06Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=82973E61-510D-4531-BF85-86B2FF401FD5", "Sen. Moran Joins Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Restore Pay for Capitol Police During Government Shutdown", "2025-10-30", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) joined Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) in introducing the Pay Our Capitol Police Act, legislation that would make certain members of the United States Capitol Police, their civilian staff and essential contractors continue to receive pay during the ongoing government shutdown. The Pay Our Capitol Police Act was also cosponsored by Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska).\n\n\u201cThe men and women of the U.S. Capitol Police risk their lives defending our Capitol, and I am thankful for their service,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cThis legislation would make certain Capitol Police officers, who protect those who work in the Capitol and the thousands of people who visit it every day, receive paychecks during the ongoing shutdown.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe United States Capitol Police performs an essential service to our nation, protecting our nation\u2019s Capitol and all who serve within it,\u201d said Sen. Tim Scott. \u201cThe Pay Our Capitol Police Act guarantees they receive the pay and support they have earned. These officers protect the American people and an institution of our democracy, and they should not have to miss paychecks because of political games in Washington.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe brave men and women of the U.S. Capitol Police work tirelessly every day to protect us and those that visit the Capitol complex,\u201d said Sen. Mullin. \u201cWhile the Democrats continue to play politics with paychecks, the Pay Our Capitol Police Act will ensure our officers are supported.\u201d\n\n\u201cEven during the Schumer Shutdown, Capitol Police officers have tirelessly shown up to protect Congress and the public,\u201d said Sen. Cramer. \u201cThe Pay Our Capitol Police Act is the least we can do to ensure our officers will get paid for their service without any more delay or disruption.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s foolish not to pay the police officers who protect the U.S. Capitol because of the Schumer Shutdown. They deserve better,\u201d said Sen. Graham.\n\n\u201cIt is despicable that Democrats continue to drag the Schumer Shutdown on, gladly accepting their own paychecks while refusing to open the government or pay our hardworking federal law enforcement, including our Capitol Police,\u201d said Sen. Rick Scott. \u201cI am proud to join my colleagues to ensure these law enforcement officers, who put their lives on the line every day to keep the Capitol, visitors, and members safe, aren\u2019t harmed by Democrats\u2019 political games.\u201d\n\nThe Pay Our Capitol Police Act provides:\n\nContinuing appropriations to pay members of the Capitol Police performing active service.\n\nPay for civilian employees and contractors who directly support Capitol Police operations.\n\nAutomatic coverage during any period in which interim or full-year appropriations are not in effect, retroactive to Oct. 1, 2025.\n\nThe bill is effective immediately upon enactment and remains in place until the passage of the next appropriations legislation or Sept. 30, 2026.\n\nFull text of the legislation can be found here.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-derek-schmidt-announces-members-service-academy-selection-board", "Rep. Derek Schmidt Announces Members of Service Academy Selection Board", "2025-10-29", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Derek Schmidt", "S001228", "schmidt.house.gov", "schmidt", "https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 (October 29, 2025) \u2013 Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) today announced the members of his 2025 Service Academy Selection Board. This weekend, the Selection Board will conduct interviews of Kansas students seeking nominations to attend the United States military service academies for the Class of 2030.\n\n\u201cOne of the greatest honors I have as a member of Congress is nominating young Kansans to attend our nation\u2019s military academies,\u201d Schmidt said. \u201cI appreciate the distinguished Kansans who have agreed to assist in the selection process this year and look forward to receiving their recommendations.\u201d\n\nThe members of the Selection Board are:\n\nMaj. Gen. Vic Braden (Ret.), U.S. Army and Kansas Army National Guard veteran, former Kansas Deputy Attorney General (Sawyer, Kansas)\n\nCapt. David Buehler (Ret.), U.S. Navy veteran, Kansas State Representative District 40 (Lansing, Kansas)\n\nBrenda Dietrich, former superintendent of Auburn\u2013Washburn USD 437, Kansas State Senator District 20 (Topeka, Kansas)\n\nCol. Pat Proctor (Ret.), U.S. Army veteran, Kansas State Representative District 41 (Leavenworth, Kansas)\n\nCoffey County Undersheriff Eric Smith, former Kansas State Representative District 76 (Burlington, Kansas)\n\nLt. Col. Dave Young (Ret.), U.S. Air Force and Kansas Air National Guard veteran, Kansas Deputy Homeland Security Advisor (Topeka, Kansas)", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7245", "ICYMI: Estes Joins Inside the Beltway", "2025-10-28", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "On the ongoing government shutdown, triggered by Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Democrats:\n\n\u201cIt's unfortunate that we're at this point in time, 23 days now, with no funding on the government. The Democrats are continuing to filibuster and the disappointing thing about it is that they're filibustering on a clean continuing resolution that they've actually voted on before.\n\n\u201cI mean, these exact same spending levels [from] last spring and last fall, as well. So it's disappointing we're here. My understanding is that today or tomorrow, the Senate will have a slightly different motion to talk about making sure that we paid the military and that we pay the folks that are working, the border patrol agents, the TSA agents, the air traffic controllers, the folks that are actually having to work through this process and we'll see whether that passes or not. But, in the meantime, it's just sad that we are where we are. The counter proposal that the Democrats are holding the funding the government hostage on is really a non-starter.\n\n\u201cThey talk about taking money away from rural hospitals and giving it to illegal aliens and using it to spend for electric vehicles and other programs in other countries. I think we ought to be focused on how do we make sure that we support Americans first.\u201d\n\nOn the COVID-era Obamacare enhanced tax credits expiring:\n\n\u201cWell, the problem is the Obamacare has subsidies built into it. I mean, that base level of Obamacare has subsidies built into it. During COVID, it was decided when the Democrats were in the majority in the House and the Senate and President Biden was in office. They decided to add additional subsidies tied to that. And that's what they set the expiration date of December of this year, and now that it's expiring, they're realizing how bad Obamacare really is \u2026 It's one of those things that we've got to address: the problems with Obamacare.\n\n\u201cIt was promised to lower premiums. It was promised that people could keep their doctor, keep their insurance. And it did provide some insurance for some folks that were previously in low-risk pools or in high-risk pools or other areas, or did not have insurance. But we've seen premiums continue to increase, and we can't keep going forward like this.\n\n\u201cBut the distraction from funding the government is the talk about the problems with Obamacare. I mean, we need to focus on getting the government open so that we can address all the issues that we have to address as a country and make sure that we're moving forward.\u201d\n\nOn how the Affordable Care Act was never really affordable, a fact the Washington Post admitted:\n\n\u201cAt that point in time, you don't have an insurance program that provides you good health care. I mean, if you're spending $27,000 a year in combination of premiums, and then you add the deductibles on top of that, you're spending thousands of dollars whether you're on a private plan or whether you're on one of the subsidized Obamacare plans. It's thousands of dollars out of your pocket before you actually get any benefit from that insurance.\n\n\u201cAnd so there's a major problem with the so-called Affordable Care Act. As you said, it's no longer affordable. It never was really affordable. It's just gotten worse. And through that process, it didn't improve care any. It didn't increase the number of doctors or didn't increase the number of people that could keep their old good insurance that they liked.\u201d\n\nOn the provisions included in the One Big, Beautiful Bill and the work House Republicans put into making it possible:\n\n\u201cObviously, as you talked about the One Big, Beautiful Bill or the Working Families Tax Cuts Act that we focused on, we wanted to make sure that we helped the economy grow. I mean, we saw after 2017, the economy took off. And, you know, instead of the old \u201cnew normal\u201d process that President Obama talked about and economist when President Obama was in office, we looked at how do we grow the economy?\n\n\u201cA lot of the things that we put into One Big, Beautiful Bill, we made permanent because we saw the positive things after 2017. And so a lot of those are in place moving forward, whether it's the corporate rates and the individual rates, whether it's looking at things like, how do you deduct research and development costs in the year that you incur them so that we can continue to be the biggest innovation in our country. We did so much. I mean, there are some things that we continue to look at.\u201d\n\nOn addressing international tax issues in the One Big, Beautiful Bill:\n\n\u201cOne of the things we did with the One Big, Beautiful Bill was push back on the international tax scheme that had been developed with the Biden administration and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and basically it was creating a tax that would be on primarily US businesses and increase their costs. What we recognized there was that that wasn't going to work. The process that we started when President Trump came into office was the administration's been very active in negotiating. How do we address this moving forward?\n\n\u201cThere's continued work on that international tax aspect. I've had several meetings in the last couple of weeks talking with folks not just U.S. businesses, but also from the European Commission and as well as from Global Business Alliance, and the individuals that are that are affected by some of those provisions, and I think we all agree that there's there's a whole host of problems with this Pillar 2 international tax scheme that they'd come up with. We've got to address that and we're going to continue to focus on that, making sure that we look at and utilize the American tax code to be a level playing field for a business, whether you're based in America or whether you're based in another country and you have operations in America. And we're going to continue on that.\n\nOn the Congressman\u2019s priorities for the rest of 2025:\n\n\u201cThere are some other provisions for the year end of 2025. Chairman Jason Smith, on the Ways and Means Committee, talks a lot and wants to do a bipartisan tax bill. There's some smaller provisions \u2026 tied to production costs for the entertainment industry for one of the things that I led [which] was helping songwriters be able to write off their demo cost, but that expires at the end of this year. There's several other different provisions at the end of the year that we want to address. And then there's probably an opportunity, although it may go into next year, of looking at, okay, what's the next thing that we do? What do we focus on in terms of how we make sure we keep good economic growth?\u201d\n\nOn addressing the future of Social Security and potential insolvency:\n\n\u201cOne of the things that was set up 40 years ago, when they saw Social Security was running out of money at that point in time, and the projections into the future were pretty dire, when you were looking at the baby boomers who were entering the workforce and recognizing that when they retired, there would be a large number of retirees.\n\n\u201cThere were some provisions and changes made in the eighties to actually build up the trust fund a little bit while baby boomers were working. And now as we look to the future, we're seeing that trust fund run down, like it was designed to do, as the baby boomers [have] retired. We've got to come back and do a very similar process to look at what we do for the future. You know, the Social Security program is designed to help all Americans. But what it's designed to do is that it only pays out in benefits what the trust fund has in income.\n\n\u201cAnd so on any given year, as individuals have lived longer and as innovative ideas and new technologies have made it easier for workers, the same or fewer workers to actually produce the same economic output, we've seen fewer workers per retiree. It's down to less than three now workers per retiree where it was over six or seven decades ago. And so there's obviously less money going into the trust fund as retirees are pulling it out. So we've got to address that.\n\n\u201cObviously it's a great program that people really value as retirees in terms of supporting them. And for folks that are your age, one of the things I do want to remind everybody is that a percentage will still be paid out to anybody. It's just that when the trust fund runs down in \u2026 less than eight years, it will have only be a percentage of what the current calculation is.\n\n\u201cSo, right now that percentage is about 77 cents on the dollar. So, everybody will receive less money, which makes it pretty imperative that we start working now to be able to address that so that we can we can protect not just the current retirees, but also folks into the future, whether they're in their forties or fifties or whether they're in their twenties and thirties as well.\u201d\n\nOn representing the fourth district of Kansas:\n\n\u201cIt's South Central Kansas, centered around the city of Wichita, and it includes of course the big urban areas in Wichita, but also a lot of rural areas as well.\n\n\u201cWe call ourselves the Air Capital of the World because of the amount of aviation footprint that we have there \u2026 roughly sixty percent of the planes that are flying today have, if not made completely in Wichita, have huge components that come out of Wichita.\n\n\u201cParticularly when you look at general aviation and a lot of the commercial aviation. Every 737 starts in Wichita with the cockpit and fuselage made there. And then it's sent out to Washington to have the wings and the wheels added onto that. Textron, Beechcraft, Cessna, Bombardier, Spirit AeroSystems are all located in Wichita and make a lot of aircraft every year that we all use and value around the world.\n\n\u201cThe other thing in my district is we have a good footprint of oil and gas, in terms of production. Kansas does produce a fair amount of oil and gas, but it's very low volume producers. You don't get the big gushers like you see in the movies that come out of a well.\n\n\u201cSo, obviously being able to produce energy, whether it's hydrocarbons, we have a lot of wind farms as well in our state and actually produce much more wind energy than we utilize in the state and about half of what we produce is shipped out of state.\n\n\u201cOn an agricultural footprint, we have a lot of farmers that focus on making wheat, making corn, soy beans, ethanol, and a big support for not just Americans, but around the world as well to make sure that people have food to eat as well as energy from ethanol and being able to use that.\n\n\u201cI really focus a lot within my district on how we make sure that we support our rural areas, support rural hospitals, make sure that we support the property rights for land owners, and making sure that bad regulation doesn't come out of Washington, whether it's regarding use of water. Because that's a big thing in Kansas, particularly in my district in the western part of the state, in terms of making sure that we have sustainable water now and for the future.\n\n\u201cAnd also making sure that we're smart on things like the Endangered Species Act. I mean, we've had some issues over the last few years, starting back with the Obama administration in terms of looking at some species like lesser-prairie chicken, where they wanted to list it as endangered because they counted the number of prairie-chicken the year after a drought came through.\n\n\u201cIn Kansas, it rains more some years than it does others. And you have to just take that into account and figure out what's the long-term trend and how do we make sure that we have sustainable habitat ongoing into the future.\u201d\n\nOn why the Congressman got involved in politics and his desire to represent Kansas in Congress:\n\n\u201cIt's kind of a passion for both my wife and I. We actually met at a Young Republican National Convention and she's currently serving as a state representative in the Kansas legislature. We focus[ed] on, not only early in our marital life, we helped a lot of other people run for office.\n\n\u201cAnd I wanted to get more involved in helping run for office as well. So, I first ran for a county treasurer and then for state treasurer. I served six years as Kansas State Treasurer. One of the things I saw when I was state treasurer was that there was a lot of bad policy, bad legislation coming out of Washington that we actually spent a lot of time as treasurers being able to talk about, instead of focusing on how do we do best practices within our offices, is how do we how do we adjust to what's coming out of the federal office?\n\n\u201cIt kind of motivated me to run for Congress and actually focus on how do we come up with good policy, good legislation that helps not just make government processes run smoothly at the federal level or the state or local level, but also helps make individuals, whether you're Kansans or whether you live somewhere else in the United States, we want to make sure that there's good policy out there, that we actually approach and help folks live the lives that they want to live without an overbearing big government that's focusing and directing and mandating that they do a lot of things. So it kind of incentivizes me to come out and look at how we come up with some of those best practices?\u201d\n\nOn Democrat hysteria over White House construction and the history of White House construction:\n\n\u201cI think it's a distraction from the Democrats not focusing on funding the government and not being willing to vote for that. There is not a big ballroom on the White House grounds. I mean, there's not a big room in there.\n\n\u201cMy wife and I have been to the White House for Christmas parties. If you invite all of Congress, House and the Senate, obviously everybody doesn't go, but even if you have events like that or state dinners or state events, it's just not a huge facility to do that. So, being able to build a ballroom which is being funded by private donations. It's not taxpayer money that's going into it. I think it's a good addition to the White House.\n\n\u201cIf you look over the years, a lot of presidents have done remodeling and improvements and enhancements. Whether it's actually the West Wing was added as part of an enhancement into the White House. Whether you look at [President Franklin Delano Roosevelt], whether you look at President Truman or President Carter or even during President Obama and President Clinton's term[s], there were changes made to the White House and adjustments.\n\n\u201cI think this is one of those things that you take a snapshot which I've seen on some of the memes out there of some of the construction activity and and it makes it looks like a like a bad picture, but in reality, I think it's going to be a very positive thing for the White House to be able to to have a facility and a venue there that they can use for state dinners and other events.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:10:06Z"], ["https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-derek-schmidt-continue-food-assistance-despite-government-shutdown", "Rep. Derek Schmidt: Continue food assistance despite government shutdown", "2025-10-28", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Derek Schmidt", "S001228", "schmidt.house.gov", "schmidt", "https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 (October 28, 2025) \u2013 Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) today announced he will cosponsor legislation to maintain food assistance for Kansans in need if the federal government shutdown continues.\n\n\u201cThis shutdown has been unnecessary from the beginning and hurts many Kansans,\u201d Schmidt said. \u201cIt should not have happened, it has made reaching bipartisan agreement on many important funding priorities for the coming year harder not easier, and it needs to end. In my view, the right thing to do is to reopen the entire government and resume negotiations on full-year funding bills, but if a minority of U.S. Senators keeps refusing that approach then reopening critical parts of the government like food assistance is better than nothing at all.\u201d\n\nFunding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food assistance program is expected to run out after November 1 if the government remains shut. The bill Schmidt will cosponsor, H.R. 5822, would continue SNAP funding for Kansans in need.\n\nMore than a month ago, the House of Representatives voted to temporarily continue funding all government operations while bipartisan negotiations for full-year funding priorities continue. A bipartisan majority of U.S. Senators agrees with keeping the government open during negotiations, but a minority of senators has repeatedly refused and under Senate rules that minority is able to block funding bills.\n\nSchmidt has voted in favor of every government-funding bill that has come to the House floor this year. On September 19, he voted for the clean, short-term continuing resolution to maintain government operations for seven more weeks while bipartisan negotiations on annual funding bills continue. He also voted for full-year funding for the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, and Department of Veterans Affairs and other agencies including the Army Corps of Engineers when those funding bills came before the House of Representatives.\n\nSince the shutdown began, Schmidt has cosponsored several targeted bills intended to resume funding for specific federal services. In addition to the SNAP funding bill he cosponsored today, Schmidt has cosponsored standalone legislation to pay U.S. troops (H.R. 5401) and air traffic controllers (H.R. 5455).\n\nIn the absence of congressional action, Schmidt has favored actions by the Trump Administration to reallocate funding within the limits of the law to meet urgent priorities. Actions by the administration so far include paying U.S. troops and law enforcement officers, temporarily extending funding for the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program, and reopening Farm Service Agency offices.\n\nSchmidt also has cosponsored legislation to prevent future government shutdowns by continuing current funding levels whenever Congress allows annual appropriations to lapse (H.R. 5130 and H.R. 5552).\n\n\u201cThis chaotic shutdown approach is no way to run the government of a great country,\u201d Schmidt said.\n\nSchmidt has also cosponsored a Constitutional Amendment that would prohibit Members of Congress from receiving pay during a government shutdown (H.J.Res. 128).", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7243", "ICYMI: Estes Joins National Report", "2025-10-27", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "On Canada\u2019s deceptive ad on tariffs featuring Ronald Reagan:\n\n\u201cIn terms of particularly as deceptive as that as the ad was \u2026 President Reagan, as we know, was for free and fair trade and he was for standing up for America. And we want to continue that.\n\n\u201cWhen you look at that ad, in general, it was deceptive the way Canada produced that ad and tried to highlight that. But that's not the first time they've really taken that approach.\n\n\u201cWhen we were negotiating the original USMCA, they were actually \u2026 dragging their feet and slow-walking it. It finally came to a point where the United States and Mexico were going to go forward with just a two-country agreement. And that's when Canada came back to the table and said, \u2018We want to be engaged.\u2019\n\n\u201cWe want to make sure that we have good free and fair trade opportunities. We want to make sure that we support America, American businesses, and help make sure that there's not abuse by any country out there. And that's what President Trump wants to stand for, is how do we support that? And members in Congress want to do that as well. [We] want to make sure that we help make sure that we support businesses in America, support workers, support families and consumers.\u201d\n\nOn negotiating trade with Canada and the USMCA agreement:\n\n\u201cIt really is. I mean, when you look at \u2026 this whole process that Canada has followed in terms of \u2026 dragging their feet on things \u2026 I mean, there's been ongoing disputes with Canada on things like dairy and lumber and hardwood \u2026 That was part of the whole process of USMCA was to make sure that when those disputes arose, there was an opportunity to address them and work through that. And we still have some ongoing things that we need to work through.\n\n\u201cThat's kind of one of the reasons why when USMCA was set up, there's a checkpoint next year to actually see what's working and what's not working. So, as we move forward, that's going to be one of those issues: how do we make sure that the United States, Mexico, and Canada [are] all working on making sure that we have free and fair trade that's good for all three countries?\u201d\n\nOn the ongoing Democrat-induced government shutdown:\n\n\u201cWe're now seeing, starting last week, federal employees, whether you're military or whether you're civilian employees, paychecks have run out of money, in terms of that. And so people are starting to be affected by that.\n\n\u201cIt's really sad because when we passed this continuing resolution to November21, it was really just to allow time to actually do the Fiscal [Year] 2026 appropriations [bills] for the entire budget for the federal government. And, you know, this is something that actually Democrats voted on 13 times basically when President Biden was in office as recently as this past March.\n\n\u201cAnd so it was kind of one of these things, there's not gimmicks in it but they've been playing games around it. Actually, Senator Schumer said that \u2026 every day gets better for them through that process. The Democrat Whip in the House, Katherine Clark, she went out and said, \u2018We know families are hurting through this but this is a leverage point\u2019 for them. I just think that's the wrong way for American leadership to actually punish American families going through these.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:10:06Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=1E39549D-992B-4373-B4CF-6C955F0EBC92", "VIDEO: Sen. Moran Applauds Committee Passage of ROTOR Act, Aviation Safety Legislation", "2025-10-21", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) \u2013 chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space and Innovation \u2013 today applauded the Commerce Committee\u2019s passage of the bipartisan Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act, which included elements of Sen. Moran\u2019s legislation requiring broad adoption of ADS-B technology. The ROTOR Act aims to improve aviation safety in response to the tragic midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter that claimed 67 lives on January 29th near Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA).\n\nFollowing passage of the ROTOR Act by the Senate Commerce Committee, Sen. Moran recognized family members of the DCA crash victims in the audience and gave remarks on the importance of the aviation safety legislation in preventing aviation tragedies. The bill will now move to the full Senate for consideration.\n\n\u201cIt brings back memories of January 29th,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cI know that we continue to mourn the loss of family members and victims of a tragedy that occurred that day. American Airlines Flight 5342 originated from Wichita, Kansas, carrying Kansans and others, and it\u2019s certainly changed the way we now think about air traffic safety. Today, we seek to address many safety concerns and make our skies safer both for civilian travelers and our military men and women.\u201d\n\n\u201cCentral to the conversation surrounding that day in January is the use of and the failure to use ADS-B technology,\u201d continued Sen. Moran. \u201cWhile elements of ADS-B Out technology are mandated by the FAA, others are not. This bill encourages greater adoption of integration of ADS-B In technologies which share an aircraft\u2019s GPS position, altitude, identity, ground speed with air traffic control and other aircraft equipment with ADS-B In. Broader use of this technology improves safety and could have saved lives on the evening of January the 29th.\u201d\n\n\u201cIt should not take a tragedy to get us to this point, and I\u2019m grateful that this committee is taking steps to address recent accidents as well as taking a proactive approach to aviation safety,\u201d concluded Sen. Moran.\n\nClick HERE to Watch Sen. Moran\u2019s Full Remarks\n\nSen. Moran priorities included in the ROTOR Act:\n\nCloses a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) loophole that allowed most military aircraft to operate without Automatic Dependent Surveillance \u2013 Broadcast (ADS-B) Out transmitting. This technology broadcasts an aircraft\u2019s precise location with greater precision than traditional radar.\n\nRequires all aircraft to be equipped with ADS-B In, allowing pilots to better visualize and prevent incidents with other aircraft and vehicles on the ground.\n\nDirects the FAA to update both standards on safe distances between aircraft and controller training once ADS-B In is widely adopted.\n\nStrengthens oversight of mixed air traffic and flight routes near commercial service airports and requires quarterly reports on ADS-B Out compliance, annual Department of Transportation Inspector General audits and a safety review of potential improvements to airspace safety around DCA.\n\nTasks the FAA with providing an Airborne Collision Avoidance System-X (ACAS-X) Action Plan to inform widespread adoption of advanced collision avoidance technologies and establishes an FAA Office of FAA-DOD Coordination to streamline communication between the FAA and military departments.\n\nDirects the Army Office of Inspector General to initiate an audit of the Army\u2019s coordination with the FAA, pilot training and qualification standards and the Army\u2019s use of ADS-B Out, as well as whether it adheres to Army policy, regulation and law. In June, Sen. Moran joined his colleagues in requesting such an audit.\n\nAdditional items to note:\n\nJuly 29: Sen. Moran joined Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in introducing the original text of the ROTOR Act, six months after the aviation tragedy near DCA that claimed 67 lives on January 29th.\n\nJune 10: Sen. Moran joined his colleagues in calling for audits into the Department of Transportation and the Army\u2019s responses to the DCA midair collision.\n\nMay 16: Sen. Moran introduced legislation to require all aircraft operating in Class B airspace to install and use ADS-B In and Out, and repealed the FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) provision permitting exemptions to the military\u2019s use of ADS-B requirements. Elements of Sen. Moran\u2019s legislation were included in the ROTOR Act.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7239", "Estes Affirms National Deficit Decrease, Highlights Further Need for Fiscal Sanity in Government", "2025-10-20", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas), a member of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), issued the following statement recognizing the positive economic news regarding the decrease of the United States\u2019 annual deficit. Per the JEC, the nation ended the fiscal year with a $1.78 trillion deficit, which is $50 billion, or 2.8%, less than FY2024. The main driver in reducing the deficit came from tariff collections put in place by President Donald Trump earlier this year. These collections totaled to $195 billion for FY2025.\n\n\u201cAs a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I\u2019m encouraged by the fiscal update from the Joint Economic Committee that shows the deficit has made a downward trend. This is positive news as President Trump and Congress work toward restoring fiscal sanity in Washington, D.C.,\u201d said Rep. Estes. \u201cWe must build on this momentum with responsible fiscal policies \u2013 curbing wasteful spending, prioritizing pro-growth tax reforms, and examining mandatory spending programs that have contributed to deficit increases. Fiscal sanity set by a government that lives within its means is good for Kansans and Americans.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:10:06Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7237", "Estes Applauds Kansas Air National Guard\u2019s 184th Wing\u2019s Selection for Prestigious Point Defense Task Force", "2025-10-17", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) issued the following statement after the 184th Wing of the Kansas Air National Guard was selected to host the Air Force Point Defense Battle Laboratory, reflecting Kansas\u2019 important role in national security. The 184th Wing is located at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas.\n\nThe Point Defense Battle Lab is the Air Force\u2019s innovative solution to rapidly advance counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (cUAS) and point defense capabilities, complementing the work already being done by the Airmen at the 184th Wing. This designation will also enable the Air Force to leverage the unique assets in South Central Kansas, such as Wichita State University\u2019s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR).", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:10:06Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=CCB6B4A6-AC65-4043-863D-7EAE236997E6", "Sen. Moran Speaks on the Senate Floor to Call for Maintained Pressure on Russia", "2025-10-16", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) \u2013 a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense \u2013 spoke on the Senate floor today to reaffirm the importance of continued U.S. support for Ukraine and maintained pressure on Moscow in order to end Russia\u2019s unjust war. Sen. Moran\u2019s remarks were delivered following President Trump\u2019s call with Russian President Vladimir Putin today and ahead President Trump\u2019s meeting tomorrow with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.\n\nShortly before Sen. Moran\u2019s remarks, the U.S. Senate voted on the FY2026 Appropriations bill to fund the U.S. military. Despite receiving bipartisan support in the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the bill did not receive the necessary votes to advance, failing 50-44.\n\n\u201cLast week, we witnessed the long-awaited peace agreement between Israel and Hamas come to fruition,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cThanks to the efforts of President Trump and his administration, a ceasefire is holding. Iran has been dealt a crippling blow that has weakened its hold on the region, and Hamas has released all living hostages who had been held captive for more than two years.\u201d\n\n\u201cThrough strength, the U.S. brokered a peace deal that serves the security of Israel and the humanitarian needs of Gazans alike,\u201d continued Sen. Moran. \u201cNow, as the conflict in Ukraine has surpassed the three-year mark, Putin remains undeterred in his mission to carry out his unjust war on the Ukrainian people. Each day this war continues, lives are lost, and the safety, economic stability and global leadership of the United States are threatened. This war must end.\u201d\n\n\u201cOur adversaries, Russia, China, North Korea and Iran, are always looking for an opportunity to disrupt our alliances, weaken our resolve and disturb the free world,\u201d concluded Sen. Moran. \u201cIt is imperative that the United States stands firm in its support for Ukraine and, in doing so, places significant pressure on Putin to show our adversaries that democracy will not go undefended.\u201d\n\nClick HERE to Watch Sen. Moran\u2019s Full Remarks\n\nSen. Moran\u2019s full remarks as delivered:\n\n\u201cAs President Trump today spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and tomorrow, he will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, I want to highlight how important it is, how critical it is, to securing a resolution to Russia\u2019s unjust war in Ukraine.\n\n\u201cI had intended to give remarks today on this topic, and I opened the Wall Street Journal this morning. And I was reading it, its top editorial on the editorial page deals with this topic, and I would recommend it to my colleagues. It expresses the views as I wish I could express them so clearly. I\u2019m going to do so today right now.\n\n\u201cLast week, we witnessed the long-awaited peace agreement between Israel and Hamas come to fruition. Thanks to the efforts of President Trump and his administration, a ceasefire is holding. Iran has been dealt a crippling blow that has weakened its hold on the region, and Hamas has released all living hostages who had been held captive for more than two years. While we recognize there are significant challenges that remain in the Middle East, this marks a critical step toward a just and lasting peace in the region.\n\n\u201cThis agreement would not have been possible without the strength of the United States military, our steadfast alliance with Israel and making it unequivocally clear to Hamas that the United States is willing and able to assist our ally in war. Through strength, the U.S. brokered a peace deal that serves the security of Israel and the humanitarian needs of Gazans alike.\n\n\u201cNow, as the conflict in Ukraine has surpassed the three-year mark, Putin remains undeterred in his mission to carry out his unjust war on the Ukrainian people. Each day this war continues, lives are lost, and the safety, economic stability and global leadership of the United States are threatened. This war must end.\n\n\u201cTo bring an end to this war, the United States and our allies must maintain pressure on Moscow, as was just seen we maintained pressure on Hamas. One recent and important development in this effort is the potential transfer of U.S. Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine. This weaponry will strengthen Ukraine\u2019s ability to defend its territory, deter further Russian aggression and help level the battlefield as negotiations hopefully move forward. By providing advanced, precision-strike systems, America demonstrates that our commitment to Ukraine\u2019s sovereignty is backed not only by words, but by legitimate support that can alter the course of this war.\n\n\u201cI commend the administration for its efforts to facilitate this transfer and for leading discussions between Ukraine and Russia that hopefully will secure a durable and just peace.\n\n\u201cThe United States cannot act alone. Our NATO allies must also shoulder the burden. President Trump recently secured an agreement with our NATO allies to increase defense spending from two percent to five percent by 2035. This commitment is critical to maintaining the continued defense of Europe. Russia\u2019s economy is already under strain, but their capacity to fund conflict will continue without enforcement of steady and severe global sanctions.\n\n\u201cBefore Congress, there\u2019s legislation that has widespread support of more than 80 senators from both sides of the aisle. This legislation would deliver a severe blow to Russia\u2019s economy and trade. By cutting off the resources that allow Putin to fund this war, we can hasten the path to success in finding peace.\n\n\u201cLast week, we advanced the National Defense Authorization Act, but today, we failed to advance the appropriations bill to fund our military. We always should recognize that the world is watching. They\u2019re watching us. Our adversaries pay attention, and our allies pay attention. We have to every day make clear the case that it is true: the United States is a stable and friendly supporter of our allies and a full-fledged adversary to those who wish to cause us harm.\n\n\u201cOur adversaries, Russia, China, North Korea and Iran, are always looking for an opportunity to disrupt our alliances, weaken our resolve and disturb the free world. It is imperative that the United States stands firm in its support for Ukraine and, in doing so, places significant pressure on Putin to show our adversaries that democracy will not go undefended.\u201d\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7236", "ICYMI: Estes Joins Washington Watch with Tony Perkins", "2025-10-15", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) joined Washington Watch with Tony Perkins with guest host Jody Hice to discuss President Trump\u2019s monumental peace plan for ending the Israel-Hamas war and the ongoing government shutdown caused by the Democrats. Watch the interview on YouTube and Rumble.\n\nOn President Trump\u2019s peace plan to end the Israel-Hamas war and taking steps to achieve peace in the Middle East:\n\n\u201cGive all glory to God, but it is fairly significant what President Trump's done. He's shown from his first term, when he instituted the Abraham Accords and got the agreements to actually start to make \u2026 what we hope will turn into lasting peace in the Middle East, and being able to do the work as a leader that he's been able to do on an international stage to bring countries like Qatar and Turkey and Egypt together to help in this effort to bring Hamas to support a peace plan. And Israel's wanted to do this for a long period of time. This week is the two-year anniversary of the brutal invasion [by Hamas] into Israel and the attacks on Israeli citizens.\n\n\u201cIt's great to see with this peace plan that's being brought forth that we'll be able to see the remaining hostages, the ones that are alive, and unfortunately, as well, the ones that have passed away, being returned to their loved ones. And that we can go forward, and hopefully it'll ultimately end up being better lives for the citizens in Gaza. That they won't have the terror of Hamas hanging over their heads as they try to go about their daily lives and being able to have a peaceful solution to move forward.\n\n\u201cIt was 20 years ago this year where Israel pulled out of Gaza with the intention of it becoming an area where they could have a peaceful development, and unfortunately, Hamas took it over. Now we need to move forward, and let's have peace in the Middle East. Let's make sure that it works well, that it's monitored as we go forward. Obviously, there's lots of organizations, lots of individuals that \u2026 some of them want it to fail. So it has to be monitored, and we'll have to have some ongoing effort to make sure that this turns out to be a success.\u201d\n\nOn Democrats keeping the government closed and holding the country hostage:\n\n\u201cIt really is sad for our country that the Democrats are holding our country hostage. You know, several weeks ago, the House Republicans passed a continuing resolution, which basically means we'll continue to fund the government at the current levels until November 21st, while the appropriations process for the entire fiscal year of 2026 is set up. We didn't want any gimmicks in it\u2026.\n\n\u201cActually these funding levels had been voted on by Democrats earlier this year. It's not like it's a new issue for them. Unfortunately, what we've seen, since then, is that the Democrats would rather shut down the government because they want to make outrageous and unreasonable demands for additional spending. We've seen time and time again, over the last 10 days, that they're willing to hold the country hostage.\n\n\u201cSenator Schumer, as part of his effort in leading this Schumer Democrat Shutdown, said yesterday that every day gets better for them. I think he's referring to their campaigns in their Democrat primaries. I think they're more worried about them losing the primaries than they are worrying about what's the right thing for the country. I think they all should look forward to, how do we help the country? How do we make what's best for America?\n\n\u201cWhat we've seen are some of the consequences \u2026 about the reduction in force (RIF) efforts that's having to take place. People that are workers in the federal government are actually starting to lose their jobs, not just furloughed and not just without pay, but actually losing their job because of this.\n\n\u201cIt's terrible consequences for the folks that have been working without pay, whether you're our military folks, whether our border patrol folks, the air traffic controllers, and the TSA agents \u2026 folks that are protecting ourselves. The first paychecks were missed today for the Capitol Police that actually protect the members of Congress.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:10:06Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=4B1BA618-59E5-463E-BD6B-5678F21D8951", "VIDEO: Sen. Moran Speaks on Senate Floor to Recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month", "2025-10-15", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) spoke on the Senate floor yesterday to recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and to draw awareness to the work of advocates in Kansas and across the country who provide care and support for victims of domestic violence. Sen. Moran highlighted the efforts of Hope Unlimited in Iola; SAFEHOME in Johnson County; Stepstone in Wichita; and Crisis Center, Inc., in Manhattan.\n\n\u201cThe month we\u2019re in \u2013 the month of October \u2013 is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time that we should recognize the devastating impact that domestic violence continues to have on individuals, families and communities across our states and the nation,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cThough the issue of domestic violence often remains hidden behind closed doors, it\u2019s a reality that affects millions of Americans every year. Both in communities large and small, urban and rural, and, unfortunately, across my own home state of Kansas.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe have a responsibility to bring hope to those who feel afraid to speak out,\u201d continued Sen. Moran. \u201cI want to recognize the Kansans who dedicate their lives to that mission: those who work and volunteer in shelters, crisis centers, advocacy organizations and law enforcement across the country. Their compassion and courage make a difference every single day.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe work is far from over,\u201d concluded Sen. Moran. \u201cDomestic violence is more than a law enforcement or a policy issue. Each of us can and must play a role in ending it. This month, and every month, let us recommit ourselves to breaking the cycle of abuse. Let\u2019s do our part to speak out against violence in all its forms and stand with those who have been silenced for too long. Let's raise awareness of this silent and devastating issue and bring hope to those who need it most.\u201d\n\nClick HERE to Watch Sen. Moran\u2019s Full Remarks", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=62455915-583B-46CC-9C3B-9FAB2D00AE8F", "Sen. Moran Applauds Passage of FY26 National Defense Authorization Act", "2025-10-10", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) \u2013 a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense \u2013 today released the following statement, applauding the Senate passage of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): \u201cEach year, Congress has the responsibility to pass an annual defense bill to make certain our servicemembers have the technology, resources and support to keep our nation safe and combat threats from our adversaries. The bipartisan bill passed by the Senate makes important strategic investments to bolster our military capabilities, provide a well-deserved pay raise for our troops and support increased quality of life for our Armed Forces. I worked to secure provisions to invest in Kansas\u2019 military bases, expand access to medical care for our servicemembers and their families, and improve the safety and efficiency of military operations. We owe a debt of thanks to the men and women who serve our nation, and it is my priority to make certain they have the resources needed to fulfil their mission.\n\n\u201cWhile this legislation is important for bolstering our military\u2019s capabilities, it is critical that we fund the government through the non-partisan, continuing resolution and the regular appropriations process to reopen the government and pay our troops.\u201d\n\nSen. Moran introduced an amendment to improve collaboration between the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in using Military Medical Treatment Facilities like Irwin Army Community Hospital at Fort Riley. This amendment passed and will support greater utilization of military hospitals and expand access to care for veterans.\n\nClick HERE to Watch Sen. Moran\u2019s Full Remarks on His Amendment\n\nSen. Moran\u2019s priorities included in the FY2026 NDAA:\n\nSupports access to medical care at Fort Riley \u2013 Creates additional requirements before a military medical treatment facility like Irwin can be downgraded and encourages greater collaboration between the DoD and VA to better utilize military hospitals.\n\nAdds Fort Riley Air Traffic Control tower \u2013 Authorizes $26 million in funding for the construction of a new Air Traffic Control tower on base at Fort Riley.\n\nCreates Automated Infantry Platoon Battle Course \u2013 Authorizes $13 million in funding to create a new training course for Fort Riley servicemembers.\n\nNew barracks at Fort Riley \u2013 Authorizes $16 million in design funding for additional barracks at Fort Riley.\n\nImproves safety for military aircraft operating in commercial airspace \u2013 Requires the use of position broadcast technology around commercial airports, directs policy to maximize the use of these systems and mandates the DoD to develop a process for sharing near miss and mishap data with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).\n\nGives troops a pay raise \u2013 Provides a 3.8 percent pay raise for servicemembers.\n\nBolsters military recruitment \u2013 Improves military recruiter access to secondary schools and timely directory information sharing and establishes a National Week of Military Recruitment.\n\nIncreases military capabilities \u2013 Advances readiness and maintenance funding for all military services.\n\nHelps combat fires on board Navy ships during maintenance \u2013 Directs the Secretary of the Navy to evaluate alternative technologies for ship maintenance, including press connect fittings in order to combat a growing problem of Navy ships catching fire during repairs.\n\nTRICARE hearing aids for dependents of retired servicemembers \u2013 Allows the dependents of retired servicemembers to maintain hearing aid coverage through TRICARE Select. This provision builds on Sen. Moran\u2019s previous legislation included in the FY24 NDAA that expanded hearing aid coverage to TRICARE Prime dependents of retired servicemembers, meaning all dependents of retired servicemembers on TRICARE will now maintain this coverage.\n\nStreamlines process of receiving Public Service Loan Forgiveness for servicemembers \u2013 Requires the Department of Defense to issue a report on the status of a data match to make certain servicemembers can automatically receive Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).\n\nExpands VA Services for Veterans in the Freely Associated States (FAS) \u2013 Sen. Moran\u2019s amendment makes certain veterans from Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands who reside in those countries after serving in the United States military will receive access telehealth, mail-order pharmacy and beneficiary travel reimbursement through the VA.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=F3E6FE6B-C394-4A56-B566-E5B4A9F4813C", "Sen. Moran Highlights Harmful Consequences of a Government Shutdown on U.S. Aviation System", "2025-10-09", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Nine days into a federal government shutdown, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) \u2013 chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation, Space, and Innovation and a senior member of the Appropriations Committee \u2013 spoke on the Senate floor about the harmful consequences of the shutdown on the U.S. aviation system.\n\n\u201cThe failure to pass a continuing resolution is slowly crushing our aviation system,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cOur system is too fragile, and the stakes are too high for us to continue operating the national aviation system in the manner we are doing so. We will reach a breaking point, and this could result in the closing of our airspace or portions of it.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe set out earlier this year, in a bipartisan manner, to transform our aviation system and to make it safer for everyone. But that work is significantly hindered without an open and functioning government,\u201d continued Sen. Moran. \u201cEvery day we remain in a shutdown, the air traffic controller shortage gets worse and the strain on the aviation system intensifies. Our system has a breaking point, and I hope that this dysfunction we are undergoing, I hope it stops before we see dramatic and damaging consequences.\u201d\n\n\u201cThere are consequences to the position we\u2019ve allowed ourselves to get in, and it affects the safety of Americans every day,\u201d concluded Sen. Moran. \u201cHaving experienced the loss of life from the flight on January the 29th, from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C., we should be doing everything we can to make certain that our air traffic system and the necessary components are in place to make sure that the traveling public has a safe and secure flight when they board a plane in the United States\u2026A shutdown makes absolutely no sense for the benefit of America. I urge my Democratic colleagues to act now to pass this short-term continuing resolution so we can alleviate the pressures on our aviation system, return to doing our jobs and appropriating government funding, and provide much-needed certainty and stability for our nation.\u201d In March 2025, Sen. Moran introduced the Aviation Funding Stability Act, which would allow the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to draw from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to continue critical operations when appropriations lapse. He has repeatedly introduced this legislation in previous Congresses to provide certainty for the aviation industry during lapses in federal government funding. More information on the legislation can be found here.\n\nClick HERE to Watch Sen. Moran\u2019s Full Remarks\n\nSen. Moran\u2019s remarks as delivered:\n\n\u201cMr. President, we\u2019re now nine days into a government shutdown. The disruption of the shutdown is being felt by many Americans, particularly what I want to talk about is the many Americans who are traveling or working in the aviation industry.\n\n\u201cGovernment shutdowns are detrimental to some of our most basic functions of government, and our already fragile air traffic control system is facing strain from this occurrence.\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re reminded how fragile our air system is \u2013 how fragile our air safety system is \u2013 by what happened on January, the 29th, when a flight from Wichita, Kansas, did not land safely at Washington-Reagan, and it claimed the lives of 67 people.\n\n\u201cOver the time that I\u2019ve been in Congress, we\u2019ve had a number of shutdowns. In many instances, Kansans have told me \u2018shut her down, it doesn\u2019t matter, it doesn\u2019t matter to me.\u2019\n\n\u201cI\u2019ve never found the value in a government shutdown.\n\n\u201cThat accident that I just mentioned forced Congress and our nation to reckon with an issue that\u2019s plagued us for decades: why have we not effectively modernized our airspace system? Since that crash, steps have been taken to train more controllers and enhance the aviation system, including a $12.5 billion dollar investment in modernizing our airspace, but those efforts become much more difficult while Congress fails to keep government operating and a shutdown is in place.\n\n\u201cThe Wall Street Journal just this week aptly summed up the current crisis, stating we \u2018have a system under pressure that now just has another 100 pounds of weight on it.\u2019\n\n\u201cThe failure to pass a continuing resolution [CR] is slowly crushing our aviation system. Our system is too fragile, and the stakes are too high for us to continue operating the national aviation system in the manner we are doing so. We will reach a breaking point, and this could result in the closing of our airspace or portions of it.\n\n\u201cThe consequences of the shutdown on our aviation system aren\u2019t isolated to major cities and large airports. The viability of the Essential Air Service Program is also now put at risk. This program incentivizes airlines to provide commercial flights to rural communities that normally wouldn\u2019t be able to attract business from major airlines on their own. In Kansas, there are five such airports that use this program to provide flights to their communities.\n\n\u201cThese flights allow my constituents to fly to larger cities for business, to see family, to make doctor appointments and so many other things. Several of these airports have seen, and continue to see, record levels of passenger growth.\n\n\u201cAll these factors are chipping away at the sustainability and safety of our nation\u2019s aviation system.\n\n\u201cIn previous Congresses, I introduced the Aviation Funding Stability Act \u2013 which allows the FAA to draw from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund to make certain that critical operations can continue when there is an appropriations lapse. In March of this year, I reintroduced the bill as we faced this threat of a shutdown, and this legislation is still important, but the fact is the only real solution here is to pass the continuing resolution.\n\n\u201cWe set out earlier this year, in a bipartisan manner, to transform our aviation system and to make it safer for everyone. But that work is significantly hindered without an open and functioning government. The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, of which I\u2019m a member, has done its job. I joined my colleagues in advancing the FY2026 funding bill for the Department of Transportation but including all the aviation matters at the FAA and otherwise. We did that in July.\n\n\u201cIt included more than $22 billion for the FAA \u2013 the Federal Aviation Administration \u2013 with $5 billion for the FAA\u2019s Facilities and Equipment account \u2013 critical funding for modernizing outdated equipment in our nation\u2019s airspace. This legislation also included funding to hire 2,500 air traffic controllers to close the gap in our workforce.\n\n\u201cEvery day we remain in a shutdown, the air traffic controller shortage gets worse and the strain on the aviation system intensifies. Our system has a breaking point, and I hope that this dysfunction we are undergoing, I hope it stops before we see dramatic and damaging consequences.\n\n\u201cMr. President, my point is that the continuing resolution is standing in the way of the appropriations process. We have a Majority Leader who is willing to bring appropriations bills to the floor; they deserve the Senate consideration of those appropriations bills. The challenge we faced was getting them done by the end of the fiscal year, and therefore, we put in a place a continuing resolution until a date in later November. This is a straightforward continuing resolution to give us the time to complete the appropriations process, including the money for the Transportation Department and the safety components that are included therein.\n\n\u201cMy second point is that a continuing resolution is necessary to avoid a shutdown. That point is that a shutdown is damaging to our nation in many ways. It\u2019s broadly damaging to us because it allows those who are critics, those who are adversaries, to realize that we\u2019re not as capable of functioning as we should be. And even our allies wonder what\u2019s going on in the United States.\n\n\u201cThe point I want to make: there are consequences to the position we\u2019ve allowed ourselves to get in, and it affects the safety of Americans every day. And having experienced the loss of life from the flight on January, the 29th, from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, D.C., we should be doing everything we can to make certain that our air traffic system and the necessary components are in place to make sure that the traveling American citizens and the citizens of the world that use our airline system have a safe and secure flight when they board a plane in the United States. And the silliness of where we are today is impeding our ability to make that true.\n\n\u201cI don\u2019t know when a shutdown makes sense, but the consequences of this one\u2026 A short-term, clean CR for a few more weeks to complete our appropriations work \u2013 a shutdown makes absolutely no sense for the benefit of America. I urge my Democratic colleagues to act now to pass this short-term continuing resolution so we can alleviate the pressures on our aviation system, return to doing our jobs and appropriating government funding, and provide much-needed certainty and stability for our nation.\u201d\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7232", "Estes Joins the John Whitmer Show", "2025-10-07", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "On House Republicans funding the government and what the appropriations process should look like:\n\n\u201cWe did our job several weeks ago, we \u2013the House Republicans \u2013 voted to fund the government. [We] funded it till November 21st \u2026 The problem stems back to we haven't been doing regular order for a long time.\n\n\u201cThere's 12 appropriation bills that fund the different departments in the government and \u2026 the fiscal year runs from October 1st to September 30th and it's been since 1997 since all 12 of those have been done, completed, signed into law by September 30th.\n\n\u201cThe House Appropriation Committee has passed all 12 out of the Appropriations Committee, but unfortunately, the clock ran out on September 30, with all the other things we've been working on with DOGE and with the One Big, Beautiful Bill, the Working Families Tax Cuts, and other things, appropriations just didn't get done in time.\n\n\u201cWe've passed some of them out of the house. What the Speaker proposed and what we voted on several weeks ago was, \u2018Let's keep funding the government at the current levels until November 21st, allow the appropriations process to work out, pass it through the House, pass it through the Senate, and whatever conference committee work gets done by passing those provisions.\u2019 And the Democrats said, \u2018No, we're not going to do that.\u2019 \u2026 Even though they voted for these exact same funding levels in the appropriations last spring.\u201d\n\nOn Democrats refusing to vote for the same funding bill they voted for 13 times during the Biden administration:\n\n\u201cIt's just a continuing resolution, which basically means you spend at the current levels. You don't start new programs, you don't change or improve programs or redirect that. It's just keeping the government open, keeping it funded so that we can continue to pay our military, continue to pay our Customs and Border Patrol agents, continue to pay the TSA agents at the airport and air traffic controllers, all the things that a great nation has and should have.\n\n\u201cThe Democrats came back with an irrational proposal that says, \u2018Well, just to fund it \u2018til November 21st, we need to spend an extra 1.5 trillion dollars and do things like \u2026 give free health care to illegal aliens, and take money away from rural hospitals.\u2019 I mean, that's what they're proposing to do in order to fund the government until November 21st.\u201d\n\nOn Democrats\u2019 posturing to control the media narrative:\n\n\u201cThey're hoping to get the media on their side, which they have. I mean, the Democrat media is kind of redundant \u2026 and being able to talk about this message and make sure that there's enough angst out there.\n\n\u201cThe facts aren't on their side. I mean, Speaker Johnson pointed out on page 57 [of the government funding bill], \u2018Here's right where you said you're not going to fund the government for every operation unless you give free health care to illegal aliens.\u2019\u201d\n\nOn continued government payments during the Schumer Shutdown:\n\n\u201cThis is really focused on the discretionary spending, which is about 25% of the total spending of the government. So many other things are continuing to happen.\n\n\u201cWe're still sending out Social Security checks, still making Medicare and Medicaid payments, because those are \u2026 sometimes called mandatory programs or sometimes called entitlements. I call them automatic programs because they're set in law to happen based on the provisions that somebody's in, whether it's income or whether they've paid into Social Security or Medicare. But it gets back to the basics of the responsibility is to fund the government and make sure that we defend the country. Those are the two main responsibilities of the federal government.\u201d\n\nOn Democrats choosing to continue receiving their salaries during the shutdown they caused:\n\n\u201cYeah, it really is a bad thought process that [Senator Ruben Gallego]'s going through from the standpoint of saying he's voting to shut down the government, just like all but one House Democrat voted to shut down the government, including Kansas Democrat, only Democrat, Sharice Davids.\n\n\u201c[Sharice Davids] voted to shut down the government. She voted not to fund the government, which in effect shut us down. So all of these people, all the military folks, all of the Customs and Border Patrol agents, all the air traffic controllers and TSA agents are not getting paid, but you have this senator who's said the quiet thing out loud.\n\n\u201cThe Democrats still want to get paid. Even though their staff, their own staff's not going to get paid. But for Senator Gallego to say that he wants to still get his paycheck regardless of what his staff's getting paid or the responsibilities he has to oversee the government. That's just irresponsible, particularly when he voted against funding the government.\u201d\n\nOn Democrat hypocrisy of shutting down the government:\n\n\u201cI think this is a political position they're taking and it's as you said, the position they take depends on what politics and what political angle they want to play. When I pulled up, I was looking at some pictures of my phone from 2018, the last time we really had a Schumer Shutdown, and had a big picture of a sign out there of \u2026 let's stop the Schumer Shutdown and here we go again having another Schumer Shutdown just because the Democrats don't want to fund the government.\n\n\u201cThey don't want to step up and say, \u2018Okay, we know we need to negotiate and have appropriation bills passed to fund the government,\u2019 but instead of actually doing that or instead of allowing time to finish that work between the House and the Senate, they're saying, \u2018Well, let's shut the government down\u2019 so that they can inflict pain on the American people.\u201d\n\nOn predicting how long the Democrats will keep the government shut down:\n\n\u201cWell, it's really in the Democrats' court. I mean, they have backed themselves into a corner by saying they're not going to fund the government unless they spend this extra one and a half trillion dollars, and it's just irrational from that standpoint.\n\n\u201cSo I'd like to think that they will have thought through this over the weekend, now that we've been shut down for almost a week, and look at an approach of saying, \u2018Okay, so let's open up the government. Let's continue the discussions.\u2019\n\n\u201cThey still get input on the appropriation process. I mean, it's still going to take 60 votes in the Senate to overcome a filibuster to pass a bipartisan agreement on appropriations for the next fiscal year.\u201d\n\nOn Congressman Estes\u2019 concerns for Social Security:\n\n\u201cI chose to take the role of Chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee, which is part of one of our subcommittees on Ways and Means. It's been in place [for] 90 years. Ninety years ago was when the law was passed to implement Social Security \u2026 When it was put in place, average life expectancy was 63. And so it was set up to say if you've lived beyond that and you get to 65, then the program that you pay into, the insurance program that you pay into as a worker, you get a little assistance back from the credit that you've earned in doing that work. It was set up there as to help out with \u2026 reducing the poverty level in the senior citizens and helping them with the end of their life, for those folks that actually have lived longer than the average life expectancy.\n\n\u201cThe average lifespan at birth is about 74. The average lifespan for somebody that reaches age 65 is about 84. And so, we need to look at some of those things about how do we adjust that? We actually have fewer workers now, partly because of technology, but we have fewer workers per retiree. So, we've got to get in and make those hard decisions \u2026\n\n\u201cIn 1983 they made some changes so that the baby boomers, when they were working, built up the trust fund so that it would be there when the baby boomers were retiring. Well, now we're in the midst of that retirement of the baby boomers. We're seeing that fund's going to run out in 2032. We've got to address that. We've got to get serious. We've got to be adults in the room and say, \u2018This is a program that has worked and we want to make sure that it continues to work for the next 90 years.\u2019\u201d\n\nOn addressing the insolvency issue of Social Security:\n\n\u201cYou can't ask a millennial or a Gen Z or Gen X to think they're going to get anything out of Social Security. And the problem is that the trust fund only gets so much money based on what's put in by workers. So when we have fewer workers per retiree, in 2032, it's not like there'll be zero dollars. It'll be about 77-76 cents on the dollar. So people that are currently getting it will get a haircut and the people that aren't getting it will get less than what they expected. So we've got to like I said, we've got to be adults. We've got to address this. The sooner we address it, the easier it'll be to solve.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:10:06Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7225", "Estes Withholds Pay During Democrat-Induced Shutdown", "2025-10-01", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) announced his request to have his congressional salary withheld due to the government shutdown, caused by Senator Chuck Schumer (D-New York) and his Democrat colleagues. The announcement follows Democrats\u2019 refusal to vote for the same clean funding bill they supported during the previous administration. During the last government shutdown in 2019, Representative Estes also requested his salary be withheld.\n\nThe full letter can be found below.\n\nDear Mrs. Szpindor,\n\nI have been informed that despite a lapse of appropriations and current government shutdown, Members of Congress will continue receiving their salary.\n\nPlease withhold my net pay until an appropriations agreement has taken effect.\n\nSincerely,", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:10:06Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7226", "Estes Op-ed Celebrates 90 Years of Social Security and Explores How to Strengthen the Agency", "2025-10-01", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) published an op-ed in the Washington Examiner about the 90th anniversary of Social Security, implementing the Social Security Fairness Act, and how to improve this vital program.\n\nRead the op-ed here or below.\n\nFixing Social Security: From Fairness Act to Faster Benefits\n\nThe United States observed the 90th anniversary of the Social Security Act in August. This monumental piece of legislation has provided a supplemental income to retirees in America for decades. Millions of Americans have paid into the system their entire working lives and received the benefits they earned. As Chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee on the House Ways and Means Committee, I\u2019m committed to protecting and strengthening one of America\u2019s most vital programs for future generations. President Donald Trump shares my commitment.\n\nI know how Social Security has provided a lifeline of economic security to millions of hardworking retirees, disabled workers, and their families \u2013 folks in Kansas and across the nation. President Trump does too. He shared his commitment to America to continue \u201cdefending Social Security\u201d and \u201ctaking care of our own workers, families, seniors and citizens first.\u201d\n\nLast year, Congress passed the Social Security Fairness Act which fixes a loophole that prevented police officers, firefighters and teachers from receiving their full Social Security benefits. Earlier this year, the Trump Administration began paying Social Security beneficiaries the retroactive payments they were owed ahead of schedule, after Chairman Jason Smith (R-Missouri) and I urged the administration to implement the Social Security Fairness Act.\n\nFurthermore, the Trump administration is making sure the Social Security Administration (SSA) is working efficiently to provide the people with the benefits they deserve. Implementing the Social Security Fairness Act was a great start.\n\nSince then, SSA customer service assistance has increased handling calls, lowered the phone call wait time, decreased field office wait times, all while increasing scheduled appointments compared to last year under the Biden administration. There is still much work to do \u2013 as my office in Wichita continues to assist Kansans with Social Security cases \u2013 but this is moving in a positive direction.\n\nWe need to do all we can to administer Social Security benefits in the most efficient manner possible, because the program is quickly going insolvent. There are not enough workers paying into the system to support retirees.\n\nIn June, the Social Security Board of Trustees released its 2025 report, which confirmed the concern of insolvency that I\u2019ve been worried about for years. Republicans and Democrats in Congress need to work together in a bipartisan manner to address these issues together for the benefit of everyone.\n\nIn September, I had the chance to meet with SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano in my district in Kansas. We toured the Social Security field office in Wichita and discussed the need for customer service improvements. We agreed there are ways for Congress and the SSA to work together to enhance services and protect benefits for Kansans and all Americans.\n\nMy colleagues and I must work together to keep the benefits efficiently and correctly disbursed and the Social Security program functional. As Chairman of the Social Security Subcommittee, I promise to keep fighting for Americans \u2013 like the ones in my district in Kansas \u2013 who rely on Social Security benefits today and in the future.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:10:06Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=9E206D69-647B-4916-AF06-C008ABBA2DAC", "Sens. Moran, Marshall Introduce Resolution to Honor Fallen Hays Police Sgt. Scott Heimann", "2025-10-01", "2025", "2025-10", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Roger Marshall, M.D., (R-Kan.) introduced a Senate Resolution to honor the life and sacrifice of Hays Police Sgt. Scott Heimann, who was shot and killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic violence call late Saturday night. Sgt. Heimann will be laid to rest in Hays on Friday.\n\n\u201cThe tragic loss of Sgt. Scott Heimann is deeply heartbreaking for the entire Hays community,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cHe embodied the very best of our small, tight-knit town, a place where people look out for their neighbors, care for those in need and protect the vulnerable. Sgt. Heimann died defending his community from harm. The men and women who serve in uniform risk their safety every day, putting their lives on the line to protect and serve both neighbors and strangers alike. Sgt. Heimann began his service with the Hays Police Department in 2016, and his watch ended far too soon. In Hays, we will remember his sacrifice, and we will honor the legacy he leaves. May God be with his wife and children, and the entire law enforcement and Hays community in this difficult time.\u201d\n\n\u201cEvery day, brave men and women put on the uniform knowing the risks \u2013 Sgt. Scott Heimann was one of those heroes,\u201d said Sen. Marshall. \u201cFor nine years, Sgt. Heimann served with honor for the active good of Hays, Kansas, and he will be remembered for his selfless service. My heart breaks for his loved ones and the entire Hays Police Department. We pray they find comfort in the Lord as they mourn this immense loss.\u201d\n\nSen. Moran today spoke on the Senate floor to reflect on the service of Sgt. Heimann and urge the Senate to pass the resolution to honor his sacrifice.\n\nClick HERE to Watch Sen. Moran\u2019s Full Remarks\n\nFull text of the resolution can be found here.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:32:54Z"], ["https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mann-introduces-bill-expand-childcare-rural-america", "Rep. Mann Introduces Bill to Expand Childcare in Rural America", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Tracey Mann", "M000871", "mann.house.gov", "mann", "https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Lauren Underwood (IL-14), and Jim Baird (IN-04) introduced the Expanding Childcare in Rural America (ECRA) Act, which would lower the cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities, while also improving its availability and quality.\n\n\u201cSadly, many Kansas parents in rural parts of our state who are trying to both raise a family and continue their careers are faced with a lack of accessible and affordable childcare options,\u201d said Rep. Mann. \u201cOur bill shrinks the childcare desert in rural communities and ensures parents who want to work can do so while having resources to care for their children. This is a common sense, pro-family piece of legislation that rural America needs and I\u2019m proud to support it.\u201d\n\n\u201cYoung families in rural communities like mine are strapped for options when it comes to finding childcare and have to drive for hours before and after work to drop their kids off and pick them up,\u201d said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. \u201cWhere you live shouldn\u2019t dictate whether or not your kid has a place to spend the day while you\u2019re on the job, and our bipartisan bill would make it easier for working families in all of our communities to get the affordable childcare they need.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhether you live in a rural community, the suburbs, or a busy city, every mom and dad in America should have access to quality, affordable childcare while they\u2019re at work,\u201d said Rep. Underwood. \u201cThe Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act will help families stay in the workforce, grow our local economy, and make sure that every child in Illinois gets the care that they deserve.\u201d\n\n\u201cAs a father and grandfather, having children is one of the most important and fulfilling responsibilities in the world,\u201d said Congressman Baird. \u201cHowever, families across Rural America have faced a staggering lack of access to childcare options as they work hard every day to feed and clothe our nation. I am proud to join my colleagues on this bipartisan legislation to improve Americans\u2019 access to quality childcare options for their children.\u201d\n\nThe ECRA Act would direct U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development to authorize and prioritize projects that address the availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities through the following programs:\n\nThe Community Facilities Program offers direct loans, loan guarantees and grants to develop or improve essential public services and facilities in communities across rural America\n\nCommunity Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Grant offers grants to eligible public bodies and private, nonprofit organizations (such as states, counties, cities, townships, incorporated towns, villages, boroughs, authorities, districts, and Tribes located on Federal or state reservations) to provide technical assistance and/or training in support of the essential community facilities program\n\nThe Business & Industry Loan Guarantee Program provides loan guarantees to commercial lenders for loans to eligible rural businesses\n\nThe Rural Business Development Grant Program is a competitive grant designed to support targeted technical assistance, training, and other activities leading to the development or expansion of small and emerging private businesses in rural areas that have fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in gross revenues\n\nThe Rural Innovation Strong Economy Grant Program offers grant assistance to create and augment high-wage jobs, accelerate the formation of new businesses, support industry clusters and maximize the use of local productive assets in eligible low-income rural areas\n\nThe Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to provide microloans for microenterprise startups and growth through a Rural Microloan Revolving Fund; and provide training and technical assistance to microloan borrowers and micro entrepreneurs\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-derek-schmidt-statement-federal-government-shutdown", "Rep. Derek Schmidt statement on federal government shutdown", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Derek Schmidt", "S001228", "schmidt.house.gov", "schmidt", "https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC: Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) tonight issued the following statement, as the Senate for a second time has rejected continuing resolutions to keep the federal government open and operating:\n\n\u201cNearly two weeks ago, the House passed a bipartisan bill to keep the government funded through November 21, while work continues on the full-year appropriations bills. Regrettably, Senate Democrats are insisting on the inclusion of a $1.5 trillion wish list of additional reckless spending instead of passing the House\u2019s continuing resolution. This shutdown is entirely the result of those unreasonable demands.\n\n\u201cWe must get our fiscal house in order by restraining spending. We made a good start in the policies that were in the reconciliation bill passed this summer, which included $1.2 trillion in spending reductions over the next 10 years. The funding bills that have passed out of the House Appropriations Committee build on this effort by decreasing spending by an additional $30 billion. We can\u2019t go back to business-as-usual and leave our children and grandchildren no path out of our country\u2019s massive debts.\n\n\u201cI hope this shutdown will be short-lived and the disruptions to federal government services will be minimal. It\u2019s up to Congressional Democrats to end their blockade and allow the appropriations process to continue.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=1570F069-151F-425D-86EA-AC25605D6FD8", "Sen. Moran Leads Delegation in Requesting Disaster Declaration for Kansas Following Severe Weather", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) led his Kansas delegation colleagues, Sen. Roger Marshall, M.D. (Kan.), and U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (KS-01), Derek Schmidt (KS-02), Sharice Davids (KS-03) and Ron Estes (KS-04) in urging President Trump to make a major disaster declaration for the State of Kansas from July 17 through July 22, 2025. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly formally submitted the request for federal support on September 17, 2025. \u201cAs Kansas is not unfamiliar to natural disasters, the result of these events resulted in drastic impacts to the communities affected,\u201d the delegation wrote. \u201cFederal support must be provided to assist our state in emergency response and restoration efforts.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe, the Kansas Delegation, again strongly reiterate our fullest support for the Governor\u2019s request,\u201d continued the delegation. \u201cWe look forward to federal assistance made readily available, equipping both state and local governments with the resources needed to address the devastation caused by these severe storms.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nDear Mr. President:\n\nWe write today in support of Governor Laura Kelly\u2019s request for a major disaster declaration for the State of Kansas following the severe thunderstorms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding that occurred from July 17 through July 22, 2025. As Kansas is not unfamiliar to natural disasters, the result of these events resulted in drastic impacts to the communities affected. Federal support must be provided to assist our state in emergency response and restoration efforts.\n\nThese severe disasters have placed a significant financial strain on residents as they respond to the aftermath of these events. Following a survey of the damage to the impacted counties including Barton, Comanche, Edwards, Ford, Hodgeman, Johnson, Logan, Marion, Morris, Ottawa, Pawnee, Rawlins, Saline, Stevens, Sumner and Wyandotte, it is estimated that Kansas experienced roughly $7.6 million in damages, qualifying the state for over $5.6 million in federal assistance funding.\n\nWe, the Kansas delegation, again strongly reiterate our fullest support for the Governor\u2019s request. We look forward to federal assistance made readily available, equipping both state and local governments with the resources needed to address the devastation caused by these severe storms.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=21D93B6C-75FE-40E9-B581-3E37D8831650", "Sen. Moran Speaks on the Senate Floor After Congress Fails to Avert a Government Shutdown", "2025-09-30", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) today spoke on the Senate floor after the Senate failed to pass a continuing resolution to fund the government at current levels until November 21 and avert a government shutdown. The final vote was 55 \u2013 45 but required 60 votes for passage.\n\n\u201cWe are coming to the end of the fiscal year, and not all of the appropriations bills have been approved, although almost all of them have been approved by the Senate Committee on Appropriations and several have been passed here in the United States Senate,\u201d said Sen. Moran.\n\n\u201cEvery city council or commission, every school board, every local government office in my state passes a budget and then lives within that budget every year,\u201d continued Sen. Moran. \u201cEvery local unit of government at home can figure this out, and the U.S. Senate is failing one more time. A shutdown means uncertainty; a shutdown means dysfunction. The issue is the continuing resolution that would fund the federal government until November 21 and is designed to avoid that disfunction, avoid that uncertainty. All that\u2019s required is that we pass the continuing resolution, 60 votes in the U.S. Senate, to keep government functioning, so that we can then pass the remaining appropriations bills.\u201d\n\n\u201cWe can\u2019t pass a continuing resolution because there are those who want to bring other issues into the bill,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cSeems to me that appropriating is one of the primary responsibilities and necessities of the United States Senate. This is simple and straightforward.\u201d\n\nThe Senate Committee on Appropriations has passed 11 of the 12 annual appropriations bills, and for the first time since 2019, the U.S. Senate passed three of the appropriations bills before the August state work period.\n\nClick HERE to Watch Sen. Moran\u2019s Full Remarks\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7223", "ICYMI: Estes Joins RFD-TV\u2019s Champions of Rural America", "2025-09-29", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "On how Congressman Estes\u2019s Research and Development (R&D) Provision helps grow American manufacturing:\n\n\u201cIt's great when you look at how much we've tried to make sure that this was as much permanent as we could put into the bill, so people can plan for the long term. But also look at things about how do we grow local economies? How do we help that agriculture base by having enough manufacturing within the facility?\n\n\u201cOne of the things I've been a big champion on is research and development and making sure that we were able to write off the research and development cost. So that as folks do things, even if it's a conveyor belt, it's not necessarily developing a new drug, but the actual companies that end up making conveyor systems and you know, have to put in new controllers and switches. So, research and development authorization is important for them.\n\n\u201cAlso, capital purchases for new equipment, whether you're buying the new tractor or a new combine, being able to deduct that off of your operating cost just to help make sure that you continue to have that growth and helps the local equipment manufacturer and local equipment dealer as well.\u201d\n\nOn reinvestment into western companies to maintain rural residential populations help them prosper:\n\n\u201cI think part of what we've seen, certainly over the last several decades, is \u2026 as technology has improved the efficiency on the farm, and ranching operations, we've actually seen \u2026 the population decline. Partly that's because you don't have \u2026 enough jobs around in the community to help keep the second and third son there in the neighborhood, in order to help keep the economy going.\n\n\u201cBy being able to have more efficient, more effective operations within a local community, you're able to keep more of the people that grow up on the farm in the rural areas. And at the end of the day, you end up making sure that you keep the grocery store, you keep the hospital, you keep the drugstore, you know, all of those things that make all of our important communities the places that we want to live in.\u201d\n\nOn two key provisions of the Working Families Tax Cuts:\n\n\u201cTwo most important [deductions] that are going to affect people [are] the 199A small business deduction, which, depends on how you're structured, \u2026 it's going to help the small businesses that maybe you've structured your farm that way, maybe you're structured some of the operations within the community are that way. So they'll be able to compete against these big corporations that have a lower corporate tax as well. So that's an important provision.\n\n\u201cProbably one of the things that's most important that's going to affect everybody is at some time we're all going to die. And being able to increase the exemption on the Death Tax was very important. We'd looked at how do we increase it \u2013 almost doubled it \u2013 and we made it permanent, and we indexed it for inflation. So that we don't have to look five or eight years down the road and see a cliff out there and be concerned about. It's there and it's set up and it's going to help us in the long term to help our current generation who are the stewards of our farmland be able to pass that off to the next generation.\u201d\n\nOn the Rural Health Transformation Fund:\n\n\u201cBasically what we were wanting to do was make sure that we supported rural hospitals. Obviously \u2026 if you look back over the last several years, there's been a disproportionately small percentage of Medicaid and other funding that's gone to our rural hospitals. And as we've seen \u2026 those hospitals are strained and \u2026 the structures that are set up really fit more within the larger cities. So, we wanted to make sure that we supported rural hospitals. There's a $50 billion fund to help that. Half of that's going proportionally to the states. The other half of it's going to be set up on grants for different projects or different approaches.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:07:37Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7215", "Estes Column Details How Tax Cuts Will Deliver Immediate Benefits to Americans During 2026 Tax Season", "2025-09-26", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) published a column in the Derby Informer on how the Working Families Tax Cuts will benefit all Americans immediately and going forward once the 2025 tax filing season begins in 2026.\n\nRead the column here or below.\n\nOPINION: How the summer\u2019s tax cuts benefit you\n\nThis summer, congressional Republicans sent the One, Big, Beautiful Bill to President Trump for his signature on our nation\u2019s birthday \u2014 July 4, 2025. This historic package will directly benefit all Americans by permanently locking in lower individual rates and providing additional tax relief to hardworking people across our great nation.\n\nKansans will see these tax cuts immediately when they file their taxes in 2026. The lower rates we enacted in 2017 through the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are now permanent, which will continue to enable Kansans to keep more of their own paycheck instead of sending it to Washington. Even the New York Times admitted that a majority of Americans will benefit from making these lower rates permanent.\n\nThis package, also known as the Working Families Tax Cut, provides significant tax relief, particularly for families earning under $100,000. The average American taxpayer is projected to see a tax cut of approximately $3,752 in 2026, with families earning less than $50,000 benefiting from a 14.9% tax reduction. For a family of four earning under $100,000, this translates to an additional $600 in tax cuts compared to current law, and overall take-home pay will increase by up to $11,700 due to tax cuts and economic growth.\n\nAdditionally, families will benefit from the $2,200 enhanced Child Tax Credit, the creation of the Trump Savings Accounts for every child born over the next three years, and the increase of the standard deduction by $1,500. Individuals in certain industries will see added relief with the elimination of taxes on tips and overtime, and retirees will benefit from a senior\u2019s credit, which aims to reduce the tax burden on Social Security recipients.\n\nThis historic legislation is full of pro-growth provisions for Kansans, which will increase wages for workers by up to $7,200. Immediate expensing of domestic R&D will stimulate innovation in our region, particularly in technology and aerospace manufacturing. The immediate deduction of machinery and equipment will encourage capital investment, which will lead to higher productivity and higher wages.\n\nRepublicans in Congress are continuing to work with President Trump to deliver a golden age of prosperity and growth to the American people. I will continue to do my part in Congress to cut taxes, eliminate red tape, and ensure a bright future for Kansans and all Americans.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:07:37Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=3B540250-2BBA-403E-8492-9C904D304D49", "State of Kansas Announces Plans to Develop Application for the Rural Health Transformation Fund", "2025-09-26", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 The State of Kansas initiated an application for the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, which was created in the Reconciliation Bill to direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to work with states to identify the root challenges facing rural health providers and invest in solutions to improve outcomes for struggling providers. Kansas providers are estimated to receive approximately $1 billion over the next five years.\n\n\u201cThroughout the reconciliation process, I worked with my colleagues to establish $50 billion in funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program to invest in the success of rural health care and provide critical resources to hospitals in need,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cWith Kansas estimated to receive approximately $1 billion from this fund over the next five years, I look forward to working with the state government and the University of Kansas Health System Care Collaborative team to make certain Kansas providers receive the needed resources to improve the delivery of quality care to rural communities.\u201d\n\nGovernor Laura Kelly announced that the State of Kansas, in collaboration with the University of Kansas Health System Care Collaborative, will hold an educational webinar on Monday, September 29, at 9 a.m. CT to discuss the application and answer questions on stakeholder engagement throughout the process. Rural health care providers, state employees and interested members of the public are encouraged to register their interest through the Kansas Rural Health Innovation Alliance, created to oversee the application\u2019s progress and implementation of Kansas\u2019 rural health needs.\n\nSen. Moran worked to establish the RHT provider fund as a part of the Reconciliation Bill, and met with Kansas hospital leaders from across the state to highlight changes made through the reconciliation process to support rural hospitals through the creation of this fund.\n\nTo register for the educational webinar, please click here. To learn more about the Rural Health Transformation Program, click here.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=03B97E44-2707-4FE8-8427-3E10167C50D1", "Sens. Moran, Warner, Scott, Gallego Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Bolster American Entrepreneurship", "2025-09-25", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) reintroduced the bipartisan Expanding American Entrepreneurship Act, which would increase the permitted size of angel funds to allow for a higher number of investors in start-up companies. By allowing more individual investors per angel fund and raising the fund\u2019s cap, more investors will be able to invest at a lower rate. This will allow new investors who have less access to capital to invest in start-ups, expanding the funding base for early-stage startups.\n\n\u201cEntrepreneurship is the bedrock of the American economy and the backbone of communities across our nation,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cExpanding access to angel funds gives Main Street more opportunities to invest in startups while supporting the growth of American small businesses. This legislation represents a much needed change that encourages more companies to go public.\u201d\n\n\u201cLong before I entered politics, I was in business. I know first-hand how important early investments are for start-ups and small business owners,\u201d said Sen. Warner. \u201cThis bipartisan legislation will allow entrepreneurs to raise more funds with more contributors, enable small start-ups to expand, and give individuals with less access to capital more opportunities to invest at lower rates.\u201d\n\n\u201cSmall businesses are the backbone of the American economy, and every entrepreneur deserves the chance to turn their dreams into reality,\u201d said Sen. Scott, Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee. \u201cUnfortunately, access to capital, especially in early-stage investment, has too often been limited to a select few. By opening the door to more investors, this legislation helps local business owners and entrepreneurs turn ideas into thriving companies, create good-paying jobs, and strengthen communities in South Carolina and across our nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cToo many promising start-ups hit a wall because they just can\u2019t raise enough money to get their business off the ground,\u201d said Sen. Gallego. \u201cBy raising the number of investors and the max these funds are able to receive, we can help more start-ups get the money they need to grow, create jobs, and strengthen our economy. I\u2019m proud to help lead this bill to give more entrepreneurs a shot at the American Dream.\u201d\n\nThis legislation expands on the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief and Consumer Protection Act, which was signed into law in 2018 and included provisions by Sen. Moran to expand investment opportunities.\n\nThe Expanding American Entrepreneurship Act would:\n\nIncrease the max number of permitted angel investors from 250 to 500\n\nRaise the cap on angel funds from $10 million to $50 million\n\n\u201cEntrepreneurship is the driving force of economic growth and job creation in America, and capital is a critical resource entrepreneurs need to turn their innovative ideas into thriving businesses,\u201d said John Dearie, President of the Center for American Entrepreneurship. \u201cMany new businesses \u2013 particularly those that have the potential to grow very quickly \u2013 rely on investors who provide early-stage capital in exchange for an equity stake in the company. The bipartisan Expanding American Entrepreneurship Act addresses this problem by expanding parameters of section 3(c)(1) of the Investment Company Act to permit emerging fund managers to raise larger funds with a higher number of permitted investors. CAE thanks Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tim Scott (R-SC), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) for their leadership and looks forward to working with them and their Senate and House colleagues to see the bill swiftly enacted into law.\u201d\n\nFull text of the legislation can be found HERE.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=18384E2B-A66F-44C8-A191-B0D66D792869", "Sens. Moran, Marshall Urge EPA to Reduce Burdensome Regulations on Small Oil & Gas Producers", "2025-09-24", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kan.) today urged the Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)\u2019s Office of Air and Radiation, Aaron Szabo, to increase flexibility for small oil and gas producers as the agency revises its methane regulations. \u201cThe independent oil and gas producers across our state are typically small, family-owned businesses, operating companies, and royalty owners, in contrast to the vertically integrated \u2018majors,\u2019 \u201d wrote the senators. \u201cIn turn, the regulation should reflect the fact that oil and natural gas from these independent wells, known as \u2018stripper\u2019 wells, emit negligible levels of methane that fall below federal regulatory requirements.\u201d\n\n\u201cWith the current costs associated with federal, state, and local regulations, the added burden of certain environmental regulations that offer little to no returned benefit to the environment is not justified,\u201d the senators continued. \u201cWe want to do all we can to ensure our economy continues to grow and our nation\u2019s energy independence is maintained through the continued success of the small businesses that are our independent oil and gas operators.\u201d\n\nFull text of the letter can be found here and below.\n\nAaron Szabo\n\nAssistant Administrator for EPA\u2019s Office of Air and Radiation\n\nEnvironmental Protection Agency\n\n1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.\n\nWashington, DC 20004\n\nDear Assistant Administrator Szabo:\n\nThank you for your work to bolster American energy production, lower consumer prices, and support responsible oil and gas production through sensible regulation at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Our state is home to thousands of independent oil and gas producers that provide a significant number of jobs across rural America and directly bolster domestic energy production. In order to allow those independent producers to continue producing energy and growing their businesses, we write to urge you to ensure minimum adverse impact and maximum flexibility for small oil and gas producers as you revise the 2025 Interim Final Rule for Standards of Performance for Crude Oil and Natural Gas Facilities for Which Construction, Modification or Reconstruction Commenced After December 6, 2022, 40 CFR part 60, subparts OOOOb and OOOOc.\n\nAs you know, the current regulations set terms for quantifying methane emissions to meet EPA testing and inspection requirements required of all oil and gas operations. We are grateful that EPA is evaluating ways to address the concerns of traditional energy producers and mitigate burdensome requirements. As you do so, it is important to note that not all oil and gas operations are created equally. The independent oil and gas producers across our state are typically small, family-owned businesses, operating companies, and royalty owners, in contrast to the large vertically integrated \u201cmajors.\u201d In turn, the regulation should reflect the fact that oil and natural gas from these independent wells, also known as \u201cstripper\u201d wells, emit negligible levels of methane that fall below federal regulatory requirements.\n\nThese businesses are dedicated stewards of their land and understand the importance of balancing the economic impact of their operations with environmental protection. With the current costs associated with federal, state, and local regulations, the added burden of certain environmental regulations that offer little to no returned benefit to the environment is not justified. We want to do all we can to ensure our economy continues to grow and our nation\u2019s energy independence is maintained through the continued success of the small businesses that are our independent oil and gas operators. Thank you for your consideration.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=301AF225-1E0B-491E-AA5A-78DC8F4D6707", "Sens. Moran, Ernst Introduce Bill to Increase Access to Commercial Driver\u2019s Licenses During Harvest", "2025-09-24", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) \u2013 a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee \u2013 and U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) \u2013 a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee \u2013 introduced the Seasonal Agriculture CDL Modernization Act to help reduce burdensome regulations for seasonal agricultural drivers by allowing drivers to renew commercial driver\u2019s licenses (CDL) online and updating classifications for farm equipment.\n\n\u201cKansas farmers, ranchers and agricultural producers depend on reliable, efficient transportation to move harvested crops from the fields to grain elevators and markets,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cOur legislation would modernize the requirements for seasonal agricultural commercial driver\u2019s licenses, making it easier for producers to renew their CDL and safely transport farm equipment and machinery during harvest.\u201d\n\n\u201cWhen harvest season comes around, our farmers have enough on their plates \u2013 they shouldn\u2019t have to spend valuable time navigating bureaucratic red tape that hinders their work in the field and on the roads,\u201d said Sen. Ernst. \u201cMy Seasonal Agriculture CDL Modernization Act would update outdated regulations by ensuring seasonal restricted CDL registrations and renewals can be filed online, and providing more flexibility for folks driving vehicles specifically designed for the farm. Let\u2019s hit the gas and remove these regulatory speed bumps to ensure Iowa farmers and agricultural suppliers can easily transport what they need to operate effectively.\u201d \"This legislation addresses challenges faced by Kansas farmers and agricultural service providers by providing necessary updates to modernize the Seasonal Ag commercial driver's license program that is heavily relied on during peak application and harvest seasons,\u201d said Ronald Seeber, President and CEO, Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association. \u201cThe proposed measures are critical to the continued success and viability of the agricultural industry.\"\n\n\u201cKansas Farm Bureau believes making modern updates to the seasonal CDL program is sound government policy that recognizes the reality of what farmers and ranchers face every day trying to feed the country,\u201d said Joe Newland, President, Kansas Farm Bureau. \u201cI applaud Sen. Moran\u2019s leadership in introducing this commonsense proposal to save time, cut costs and support smoother operations in rural Kansas and beyond.\u201d\n\n\"This legislation, led by Senators Moran and Ernst, modernizes outdated regulations to help agricultural retailers operate more efficiently and strengthen the supply chain,\u201d said Richard Gupton, Senior Vice President of Public Policy & Counsel, Agricultural Retailers Association. \u201cBy allowing increased load capacities, it addresses driver shortages, reduces trips, and ensures timely delivery of essential goods\u2014all while maintaining transportation safety.\" The Seasonal Agriculture CDL Modernization Act is supported by a number of agricultural leaders, including the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Corn Growers Association, Kansas Grain and Feed Association, Kansas Farm Bureau, Kansas Sorghum Producers and Kansas Soybean Association.\n\nSpecifically, the legislation would:\n\nAllow Online Renewal of Farm-Related Commercial Driver\u2019s Licenses \u2013 The legislation would authorize online renewal for restricted CDLs for farm-related service industries, streamlining the renewal process, reducing administrative regulatory burdens for seasonal agricultural drivers and expanding accessibility for workers in rural communities who may face challenges with in-person CDL renewal.\n\nUpdate Classification of Agricultural Tools and Vehicles Specifically Designed for Farm Use \u2013 The legislation reduces unnecessary restrictions and penalties on ag-related equipment by making certain these pieces of farm equipment (known as \u201cImplements of Husbandry\u201d) are not classified as commercial motor vehicles and do not contribute to the Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) or Gross Weight Rating (GWR).\n\nCompanion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Tracey Mann (R-KS-01), Derek Schmidt (R-KS-02), Ron Estes (R-KS-04) and others.\n\nFull text of the legislation can be found HERE.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7214", "Estes Votes for Social Security Legislation in Ways & Means Committee", "2025-09-23", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas), Chair of the Social Security Subcommittee, participated in a Ways & Means legislation markup covering a variety of legislation concerning Social Security, healthcare, and taxes. Specifically, Rep. Estes voted to pass two pieces of legislation out of the Ways & Means Committee during a markup. The pieces of legislation focus on helping victims of identity theft, including children. These pieces of legislation are intended to improve protection and reinforce security of an American\u2019s identity.\n\nRead more about the Improving Social Security\u2019s Service to Victims of Identity Theft Act here and the Social Security Child Protection Act here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:07:37Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=DE792DFC-0CDE-4D5A-B9A9-6B886E154804", "Sen. Moran Joins Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Counter Fentanyl-Laced Pill Production", "2025-09-23", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) \u2013 chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies \u2013 joined Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) in introducing the Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act, which would help stop the production of counterfeit and fentanyl-laced pills and make it easier for federal law enforcement to take action against cartels by requiring pill presses, punches and dyes to be engraved with serial numbers.\n\nIn 2024, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seized more than 61.1 million fentanyl-laced pills. With these illicit drugs on the rise, many cartels have gained access to the same type of pill presses used by pharmaceutical companies in order to create counterfeit pills that are often indistinguishable from real medication. The Controlled Substances Act currently requires companies to keep records on the distribution of pill press equipment, which helps the DEA track and seize pill presses used to manufacture fentanyl-laced pills. But while illicit pill presses have been seized in 43 states, many reports suggest these seizures only account for a small number of those being used by cartels.\n\n\u201cFentanyl has taken the lives of thousands of Americans and continues to be a leading cause of death in the United States,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cBy imposing penalties for removing or altering serial numbers on pill presses, law enforcement will be able to more effectively target those responsible for the production of counterfeit fentanyl-laced pills and help prevent drug traffickers from flooding our country with these deadly substances.\u201d\n\n\u201cFentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans age 18 to 45, which underscores just how prevalent this silent killer is in our communities,\u201d said Sen. Cornyn. \u201cOur bill would require the serialization of pill presses, punches, and dies to help law enforcement better detect, trace, and prosecute the cartels who produce these deadly pills and perpetuate the fentanyl crisis across our country.\u201d\n\n\u201cFentanyl is killing more young Americans than anything else right now, and fake pills are one of the most dangerous ways these synthetic opioids are getting into our communities,\u201d said Sen. Fetterman. \u201cBy requiring serial numbers on pill presses and the tools that make them, this bill gives law enforcement another way to track the chain of custody and hold people who are profiting off of addiction accountable.\u201d\n\n\u201cCommunities across North Carolina and the country continue to suffer from the devastating impact of fentanyl, and we must do everything we can to disrupt the cartels and traffickers flooding our streets with these deadly drugs,\u201d said Sen. Tillis. \u201cThe Fight Illicit Pill Presses Act will give law enforcement an important tool to track down and hold criminals accountable, and I am proud to support this effort to help save lives.\u201d\n\n\u201cFentanyl has devastated families across Minnesota and this crisis is being fueled by those who use pill presses to make counterfeit drugs. We need to do more to fight traffickers and protect communities,\u201d said Sen. Klobuchar. \u201cThis bipartisan legislation will require pill presses and their critical parts to have a serial number, which will help law enforcement, fight counterfeit pill production, reduce overdoses, and ultimately save lives.\u201d\n\nThis legislation would:\n\nAssist the DEA and other federal law enforcement agencies in solving crimes against drug trafficking and trace pill presses back to cartels by amending the Controlled Substances Act to require that all encapsulating machines, tableting machines, punches and dyes be engraved with a serial number;\n\nRequire all serial numbers be filed with the DEA on the forms that already have to be submitted for pill press machines; and\n\nImpose criminal penalties for the removal or alteration of the serial number and for the transportation or possession of any pill press with a removed or altered serial number.\n\nThe legislation is endorsed by National Narcotic Officers\u2019 Associations\u2019 Coalition (NNOAC), National HIDTA Directors Association, CADCA, National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) and Sergeants Benevolent Association NYPD.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"], ["https://estes.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7213", "Estes Announces Co-Chairmanship of Congressional Musicians\u2019 Caucus", "2025-09-22", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Ron Estes", "E000298", "estes.house.gov", "estes", "https://estes.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) announced his co-chairmanship of the House Congressional Musicians\u2019 Caucus alongside Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas). The caucus is dedicated to supporting musicians and advancing the music industry, ensuring this vital sector continues to fuel creativity and economic growth across the nation.\n\nAs part of this effort, Congressman Estes led the charge to introduce and pass the Help Independent Tracks Succeed (HITS) Act, which allows artists and musicians to expense sound recording production costs in one year rather than stretching them out over time. This provision was included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.\n\n\u201cJoining my colleague, Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), as co-chair of the Congressional Musicians' Caucus is an honor and a great opportunity to recognize how music has impacted the lives and history of Americans,\u201d said Rep. Estes. \u201cWe will work to feature the incredible role music plays in bringing Americans together, fostering creativity, and enriching our communities. From the heartland of Kansas to every corner of our great nation, music unites us, inspires the next generation, and strengthens our heritage. I look forward to working across the aisle to support the music industry, ensure the arts continue to thrive for all, and enjoy many styles and varieties of music that can be created.\u201d\n\n\u201cMusic doesn\u2019t take sides\u2014it takes the stage and asks us to listen. From my hometown of Austin, the Live Music Capital of the World, to music classrooms and performance venues across the country, crowds become communities,\u201d said Rep. Doggett. \u201cMy good friend, Ron Estes, gets this rhythm by uplifting the artists, educators, and engineers who shape the industry and inspire future musicians. I\u2019m pleased to have him join our mission as a Co-Chair, and look forward to working together to create a more inclusive landscape that benefits us all.\u201d\n\nBackground:\n\nMay 2025 \u2013 Rep. Estes Applauds Ways and Means Tax Legislation Vote\n\nFebruary 2025 \u2013 Reps. Estes, S\u00e1nchez Reintroduce the HITS Act\n\nSeptember 2022 \u2013 Rep. Estes Introduces Resolution Honoring Walnut Valley Festival's 50th Year", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-07T15:07:37Z"], ["https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mann-keeps-government-functioning", "Rep. Mann Keeps Government Functioning", "2025-09-19", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Tracey Mann", "M000871", "mann.house.gov", "mann", "https://mann.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01) voted to advance a clean, short-term funding bill to keep the government open as Congress finishes the appropriations process. H.R. 5371, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026, which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 217-212, funds the federal government for seven weeks while giving the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate time to finish the remaining appropriations bills. Rep. Mann released the following statement after the vote.\n\n\u201cThe harsh reality is our national debt is unsustainable,\u201d said Rep. Mann. \u201cFor years, elected officials have come to Washington, D.C. ringing the alarm on our national debt. I applaud President Trump\u2019s bold leadership in being the first president to go line by line through the federal budget and evaluate how our tax dollars are being spent. Now, Congress has to do its part to get our spending under control by returning to regular order and passing individual appropriations bills. Unfortunately, the consensus among too many in Washington is that they\u2019d rather see President Trump fail than work together to keep the government functioning and funded responsibly. It\u2019s unfortunate that some prefer to grandstand and try to score political points rather than to do what\u2019s best for the country. It is time to stop the political theatre and work together to get our fiscal house in order.\u201d\n\nThe Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act of 2026 will now go to the U.S. Senate for further consideration.\n\n###", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-schmidt-statement-passage-resolution-honoring-life-and-legacy", "Congressman Schmidt statement on passage of resolution honoring the life and legacy of Charlie Kirk", "2025-09-19", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Derek Schmidt", "S001228", "schmidt.house.gov", "schmidt", "https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) issued the following statement regarding passage of H.Res.719, honoring the life and legacy of Charles \u201cCharlie\u201d Kirk:\n\n\u201cThe murder of Charlie Kirk was an attack on civil discourse and dialogue in our great country. Like all Americans of goodwill, I condemn it in the strongest possible terms. I am proud to be a cosponsor of today\u2019s resolution honoring Charlie\u2019s life and legacy and commend its passage by the House of Representatives. Unfortunately, I was detained by an unanticipated meeting with constituents that prevented me from reaching the House floor in time to cast my vote in favor of the resolution, but I would proudly have cast my vote for it. Political violence has no place in our United States of America.\u201d", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-derek-schmidt-now-accepting-applications-us-military-academy-nominations", "Rep. Derek Schmidt now accepting applications for U.S. Military Academy nominations", "2025-09-19", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "House", "KS", "Derek Schmidt", "S001228", "schmidt.house.gov", "schmidt", "https://schmidt.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC: Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) announced today that his office is now accepting applications from Kansas students seeking nominations to attend the United States military service academies for the Class of 2030.\n\nEach year, Members of Congress may nominate a limited number of candidates for appointment to the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Students who receive a nomination are considered for appointment by the respective academy\u2019s admissions board.\n\n\u201cService academies provide exceptional opportunities for young Kansans to pursue higher education while preparing to serve our country as officers in the Armed Forces,\u201d Schmidt said. \u201cI encourage all qualified students who are interested in military service to apply.\u201d\n\nApplicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 17 years old but not yet 23, unmarried and without dependents. Applicants seeking nomination from Congressman Schmidt also must reside in the 2nd Congressional District. A complete application packet must be submitted to Congressman Schmidt\u2019s Topeka office by October 15.", 1, "2026-04-04T05:28:40Z", "2026-04-04T05:30:10Z"], ["https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=0F39762F-8E04-4072-BF1E-46F75F6F27D9", "Applications Now Open For $50 Billion Rural Health Transformation Program", "2025-09-19", "2025", "2025-09", "Republican", "Senate", "KS", "Jerry Moran", "M000934", "www.moran.senate.gov", "moran", "https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today announced that applications are open for states to access funding from the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, which was created in the Reconciliation Bill to direct the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to work with states to identify the root challenges facing rural health providers and invest in solutions to improve outcomes for struggling providers. Kansas providers are estimated to receive approximately $1 billion over the next five years.\n\nApplications are now open for states to apply for this opportunity with CMS. In the coming days, the State of Kansas will provide more information on the process Kansas will use to assemble its application.\n\n\u201cThe Rural Health Transformation Program is a significant investment in rural health care and will help improve outcomes for struggling hospitals, invest in new technology and bolster rural communities,\u201d said Sen. Moran. \u201cI worked with my colleagues to establish this critical fund, and every state will have the opportunity to submit a one-time application tailored to the needs of the state, with no match required by the state. I look forward to working with our health care leaders and Governor Kelly to make certain Kansas providers can receive the resources they need to improve the long-term success of rural providers.\u201d\n\nSen. Moran helped establish the rural provider fund as a part of the Reconciliation Bill, which was signed into law by the President on July 4. On July 3, Sen. Moran joined a town hall with more than 100 Kansas hospital leaders to outline changes made in the Reconciliation Bill for rural hospitals specifically, highlighting the Rural Health Transformation Program. State employees, health care providers and interested members of the public will be able to participate in several webinars with CMS to learn how to strengthen and aid in the submission of their state\u2019s one-time application for federal resources.\n\nLast week, CMS also approved Kansas\u2019 2025 provider tax preprint, increasing the hospital provider tax to 6% from 3%. This will generate revenue from prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals in Kansas, which in turn is matched by federal Medicaid dollars. This change will increase Medicaid rates to Kansas hospitals and physicians and is expected to generate approximately $1 billion annually for Kansas hospitals.\n\nItems to note:\n\nFunds from the program will be allocated to approved states over five years, with $10 billion available each year from Fiscal Year 2026 through Fiscal Year 2030.\n\nThe funding requires no state match; it is a federal-only investment aimed at helping to improve outcomes for struggling healthcare providers.\n\nThis is a one-time application with no renewal required, making certain states and providers have access to the funding over the next five years without needing to reapply.\n\nCommunity health centers, struggling urban hospitals, federally qualified health centers, opioid treatment programs, community mental health centers and community behavioral health clinics in Kansas will also be eligible recipients of this investment.\n\nIn collaboration with CMS, states must submit detailed rural health transformation plans for improving access to care. CMS will monitor implementation in order to make certain resources are being targeted to best support struggling providers and improve health outcomes in rural communities.\n\nThe deadline for states to apply is November 5, 2025; awardee decisions will be made by December 31, 2025.\n\nCMS will hold an informational webinar for stakeholders on the RHT Program today, September 19, 2025 at 2:00 \u2013 3:30 p.m. CT. Register in advance for this webinar HERE. After registering, individuals will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.\n\nMore information on the Rural Health Transformation Program and details on how to apply can be found HERE.\n\n# # #", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:10:29Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 398, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Republican", "p1": "KS", "p2": "2025"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=KS&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 398, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=KS&year=2025", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=KS&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 233, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=KS&year=2025&chamber=House", "selected": false}, {"value": "Senate", "label": "Senate", "count": 165, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=KS&year=2025&chamber=Senate", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=KS&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "KS", "label": "KS", "count": 398, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2025", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=KS&year=2025", "results": [{"value": "2025", "label": "2025", "count": 398, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=KS", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2025-09-19,https~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Emoran~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fpublic~2Findex~2Ecfm~2Fnews-releases~3FID~3D0F39762F-8E04-4072-BF1E-46F75F6F27D9", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=KS&year=2025&_next=2025-09-19%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fwww~2Emoran~2Esenate~2Egov~2Fpublic~2Findex~2Ecfm~2Fnews-releases~3FID~3D0F39762F-8E04-4072-BF1E-46F75F6F27D9&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 129.74578002467752, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}