releases: https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/kansas-common-sense-applauding-new-national-defense-law
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2017/12/kansas-common-sense-applauding-new-national-defense-law | Kansas Common Sense - Advocating for Children's Health Insurance on the Senate Floor | 2017-12-18 | 2017 | 2017-12 | Republican | House | KS | Jerry Moran | M000934 | www.moran.senate.gov | legacy | Hello, Welcome to Kansas Common Sense. Thanks for your continued interest in receiving my weekly newsletter. Please feel free to forward it on to your family and friends if it would interest them. USA TODAY Op-Ed with Sen. McCainEarlier this month, I introduced legislation withSen. John McCain (R-Arizona)to transform theU.S. Department of Veterans Affairsinto a 21st century healthcare system that would increase veterans access to care. I encourage you to read more on our efforts in our jointUSA TODAYop-ed: Unlike other proposals, our legislation creates and specifies the tools the VA must use to reform health care rather than relying on the bureaucracy to determine the rules. We have learned over time that Congress must provide clear direction and guidance to the VA toprevent inconsistent experiences, enhance veterans quality of life, and achieve better health outcomes Today, the VA is in need of another major reform and we have the opportunity to deliver real transformation. Legislation to Support our National Defense Signed Into LawThis week, I was pleased that the President signed the FY2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law. The NDAA provides members of our United States Armed Forces with the support they need to protect our nation, and this years NDAA includes legislative measures that I led in the Senate, particularly the Gary Deloney and John Olsen Toxic Exposure Declassification Act. This legislation, which is named after a Fort Scott veteran, would make certain veterans have access to military records regarding their exposure to toxic substances and requires the Department of Defense to declassify documents that relate to incidents where servicemembers were exposed to a toxic substance that later had a damaging effect on their health. Often, the impacts of toxic exposure dont appear until long after servicemembers have returned home from the battlefield and military records are filed away giving our veterans access to their classified military records to prove exposure is the least we can do to make certain they receive the benefits they have earned. My Modernizing Government Technology (MGT) Act was also included in the NDAA signed into law on Tuesday. This landmark legislation will reduce wasteful government IT spending and strengthen our nations cybersecurity. I applaud the administration and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their tireless work to get this legislation signed into law and to bring our inefficient, outdated federal IT system into the 21st century. The improved efficiencies from the MGT Act will empower agencies to modernize their legacy IT systems, better protect our data from cyberattacks and ultimately save billions in taxpayer dollars by reducing long-term spending. Advocating for CHIP on the Senate FloorThe Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP) helps provide healthcare coverage to children in low-income families in Kansas and around the country who otherwise would be left without any insurance, and most likely, without the funds necessary to cover these healthcare costs. While there are sufficient funds in Kansas to fund CHIP through March, thats certainly not the case for all states. I spoke on the Senate floor to advocate for CHIPs reauthorization this week. This is an opportunity for us to provide healthcare providers across Kansas certainty that they will be reimbursed when treating children utilizing the CHIP program. The time to reauthorize CHIP is now.Please watch my full remarks here. Accepting the 2017 Freedom to Fly AwardOn Wednesday, I was proud to accept the 2017 Freedom to Fly award from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), presented annually to members of Congress in recognition of their support for general aviation. As Kansans know, our state has a rich aviation heritage going back 100 years to the days when pioneers like Clyde Cessna helped establish Wichita as the Aviation Capital of the World. Today over 40,000 Kansans make a living manufacturing, operating and servicing the worlds highest quality aircraft. During my time in Congress I have worked to strengthen the general aviation industry by reducing the regulatory burden on manufacturers, preserving rural access to air service, and most recently, fighting against efforts to privatize our nations air traffic control system. Thank you to AOPA President Mark Baker and his organization, which represents the worlds largest community of pilots and aviation enthusiasts, for this tremendous honor. Joining the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce Annual Chairmans ReceptionUpon returning to Kansas, I attended the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce Annual Chairmans Reception hosted by Johnson County Community College (JCCC) and co-sponsored by Childrens Mercy Hospital Kansas. The gathering was a good opportunity for me to receive feedback from the Overland Park business community and local public officials on topics such as infrastructure, education, healthcare and tax reform. I also had the pleasure of visiting with the Chambers incoming Chairman Brett Bogan and 2017 Chairman Michael Tracy. I appreciate their willingness to volunteer their time in service of their community. Thank you to Mr. Tracy and Mr. Bogan for welcoming me, to Chamber President Tracey Osborn for coordinating my visit, and to JCCC and Childrens Mercy Hospital Kansas for facilitating the evenings events. Laying Wreaths to Honor Our VeteransOn Saturday, I was privileged to take part in National Wreaths Across America Day Ceremony at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery in WaKeeney. I joined members of every branch of the armed services and family members of some of the brave men and women laid to rest there. The Wreaths Across America program started 25 years ago with wreaths being placed in Arlington National Cemetery, and has grown to honoring those laid to rest in over 1200 locations across the nation. Im so grateful to our countrys veterans, and particularly those in Kansas. None of us would have the opportunities we have and our country wouldnt be what it is today without the sacrifice and courage of those who have served in our military. Kansans in the OfficeHaleigh Wood of Belpre Clayton Wood of Belpre Kansas Chamber of CommerceAlan Cobb of Topeka Physician Hospitals of AmericaLuAnn Puvogel of Salina Ducks UnlimitedAndy Hineman of Scott City Alicia Allen of Sharron Springs Mark Smith of Wallace Capitol TourRoger Kidd of Wichita Paula Kidd of Wichita Wayne Nelson of Salina Barbara Nelson of Salina Honored to Serve You in WashingtonIt is an honor to serve you in Washington, D.C. Thank you to the many Kansans who have been calling and writing in to share their thoughts and opinions on the issues our state and country face. I appreciate the words of Kansans, whether in the form of a form of letter, a Facebook comment or a phone call, who wish to make their voice heard. Please let me know how I can be of assistance. You can contact me by email byclicking here. You can alsoclick hereto contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C., office. Very truly yours, Jerry | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |