releases: https://www.moran.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news-releases?ID=41FF3640-8F71-443B-996E-2A9664D110E0
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| url | title | date | year | month | party | chamber | state | member_name | bioguide_id | domain | scraper | source | date_source | text | has_text | collected_at | updated_at |
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| 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 – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry – 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’s Biosecurity Research Institute. “On 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,” wrote Sen. Moran. “A lack of staff in both science and operational roles will hinder NBAF's function and mission, threatening national food and agriculture security.” “The 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,” concluded Sen. Moran. “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.” The full letter can be found here or below. Dear Secretary Rollins: I 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. On 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’s 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. The 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. # # # | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:52:45Z |