WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, this week introduced the Accountability to Safeguard Veterans from Violent Crimes Act of 2016 (S. 3330). The legislation would cut pensions earned by certain U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) providers who are convicted of a crime of violence against a veteran. S. 3330 holds accountable those who exploit their position in patient care to abuse veterans.

“Those who violate the trust of our veterans must be held accountable,” Sen. Moran said. “The notion that taxpayers would fund the benefits of individuals who have threatened or harmed our nation’s heroes is unacceptable. The VA has made excuses time and time again without firing those who have mistreated our veterans, and this legislation would make certain these individuals aren’t able to walk away with the same benefits as those who honorably served our veterans.”

A “crime of violence,” such as sexual assault, under Title 18 covers “an offense that has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against the person or property of another, or any other offense that is a felony and that, by its nature, involves a substantial risk that physical force against the person or property of another may be used in the course of committing the offense,” such as sexual assault.

Background

Following multiple allegations of sexual abuse in the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System against former Physician Assistant Mark Wisner, Sen. Moran has been pressing the VA for answers about their background checks and hiring practices. Mr. Wisner has been charged with aggravated sexual battery, aggravated criminal sodomy and misdemeanor sexual battery and faces numerous federal lawsuits stemming from his actions while as an employee of the VA. 

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), member of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, issued the following statement in reaction to the United States Director of National Intelligence’s recent report revealing that two more released Guantanamo Bay (GITMO) detainees have returned to engaging in terrorist activities:

“Since the president announced his plan to close GITMO, we’ve seen a rush to transfer detainee terrorists out of the facility. This administration’s willingness to endanger American lives in order to fulfill a campaign promise is unacceptable, especially given the clear evidence showing that former detainees continue to return to the battlefield. I will continue fighting to keep the remaining detainees at the facility where they cannot engage in terrorist acts against the United States or our allies.”

The confirmed and suspected reengagement rate of GITMO detainees returning to the fight is more than 30 percent and includes those released since 2002.

Background
Sen. Moran has long advocated against relocating Guantanamo Bay detainees. He works to uphold current law by sponsoring multiple amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act and sponsors the following legislation:

• The Protections Against Terrorist Transfer Act of 2016 (S. 2780) to strengthen the certification requirements relating to the transfer or release of detainees at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba;
• The Detainee Transfer Transparency Act (S. 2788) to make available to the public the intended transfer or release of detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, at least 21 days in advance;
• The Detaining Terrorists to Protect America Act (S. 165) to prohibit the transfer to the United States of detainees designated medium- or high-risk for two years and ban transfers to Yemen, where dozens of the remaining Guantanamo detainees are from; and
• S. 2559 to prevent President Obama from transferring GITMO back to Cuba without congressional approval.

Additionally, Sen. Moran introduced a Senate Resolution to call for the detention of captured Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) fighters at GITMO.

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WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today called on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson to provide information about a criminal immigrant who is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a Johnson County, Kan., sheriff’s deputy. In a letter to Sec. Johnson, the senators request Adrian Espinosa-Flores’ full criminal and immigration history and inquire about why he was allowed to remain in the country despite previous criminal convictions and his unlawful status.

“The Kansas City Star reports that Flores has an extensive criminal history,” the senators wrote in the letter. “If true, he should not have been allowed to roam free in the community.  Reports from KSHB-41 Action News cite records that show Flores had previously been convicted of driving under the influence in Los Angeles County, California, in 2001 under the name Arturo Espinoza Mercado and that in 2013, he was pulled over for speeding by Overland Park Police in Overland Park, Kansas, before being arrested and charged with driving without a license.”

The senators continued, “It seems Deputy Collins died at the hands of someone who broke our laws and should not have been allowed to remain in the United States following his multiple interactions with law enforcement.”

Click here to read the full letter. An excerpt of the questions in the letter may be found below. 

1. The alien registration number for Adrian Espinosa-Flores, his complete alien file (A-file), including any temporary files, working files, or Service Center files, and all documents and items contained in them, all reports or notifications generated by DHS or in its possession about him, whether currently in written or electronic form, including, but not limited to, the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Executive Summary, criminal history or immigration summaries, detainers or requests for notification, I-213(s), and Notice(s) to Appear or other charging documents created to seek his removal from the United States.
   
   
2. Please identify each and every date on which Adrian Espinosa-Flores was encountered by a law enforcement agency in the United States, to include criminal and civil arrests, the nature of the charge, the jurisdiction where the arrest occurred, the disposition of that charge, the date(s) on which he was released from the custody of that law enforcement agency, and the reason(s) for the release. 
   Please provide the arrest and disposition documentation for each encounter.
   
   
3. How and when did Adrian Espinosa-Flores enter the United States? Was he ever served with a Notice to Appear?  Was it filed with an immigration court? Please explain.
   
   
4. Did Adrian Espinosa-Flores ever apply for any immigration benefits, including deferred action?  If so, was any application approved?  Please provide copies of any application that may have been submitted, whether or not adjudicated.

Background
Sen. Moran has long advocated against sanctuary city policies. He sponsors the following legislation:

• The Taking Action Against Drunk Drivers Act (S. 3276), legislation introduced by Sen. Grassley would make habitual drunk drivers ineligible for entry and removable from the United States. It would also require the detention of any immigrant who is unlawfully present in the United States and has been charged with a DUI or DWI; and
• Sarah’s Law (S. 3124), which was also introduced by Sen. Grassley, would require U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to take into custody certain illegal immigrants who have been charged in the United States with a crime that resulted in the death or serious bodily injury of another person.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) joined U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Richard Burr (R-N.C.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today in releasing a joint statement urging Democratic senators to oppose the Obama administration’s proposed Internet oversight transition set to take place on Oct. 1, 2016:

“It is profoundly disappointing that the Obama administration has decided to press on with its plan to relinquish United States oversight of crucial Internet functions, even though Congress has not given its approval. For years, there has been a bipartisan understanding that the ICANN transition is premature and that critical questions remain unanswered about the influence of authoritarian regimes in Internet governance, the protection of free speech, the effect on national security, and impacts on consumers, just to name a few.

“Without adequate answers to these questions, it would be irresponsible to allow the transition to occur in 15 days simply because of an artificial deadline set by the Obama administration.

“In fact, Democrats at both the state and national level have echoed many of these concerns. For example, former President Bill Clinton has warned that ‘[a] lot of people who have been trying to take this authority away from the U.S. want to do it for the sole purpose of cracking down on Internet freedom and limiting it and having governments protect their backsides instead of empower[ing] their people.’

“The issue of Internet freedom should unite us Americans – Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike. Partisanship and political gamesmanship have no place when it comes to the Internet, basic principles of freedom, and the right of individuals in our great nation and across the globe to speak online free from censorship.

“We urge our Democratic colleagues to work with us to ensure this transition does not occur on October 1.”

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) joined U.S. Senator Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and a group of senators last week in urging President Obama to impose secondary sanctions on countries that provide assistance to North Korea, especially in light of their latest nuclear weapons test.

In the letter, the senators express their concern that the Obama administration has not imposed secondary sanctions specifically on Chinese-based entities working with North Korea. They also pose a series of questions relating to the implementation of sanctions under the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act, which was passed unanimously by the Senate and signed into law in February 2016. The senators call for a new U.N. Security Council Resolution to close loopholes of previous resolutions, along with expedited deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea and strengthening of the trilateral alliance between the United States, Japan and South Korea.

“North Korea’s nuclear weapons program presents a clear threat to global security,” said Sen. Moran. “This month, the communist regime completed their fifth nuclear test – their fourth during President Obama’s term. Failure by the administration to impose secondary sanctions on those who assist North Korea simply enables the regime to grow in power and strength.”

Background
Sen. Moran spoke on the Senate floor in February about Congress’ role to curtail nuclear proliferation and testing – particularly in denunciation of North Korea’s immediate nuclear aspirations. This month, he joined a group of senators urging President Obama not to bypass the Senate in order to seek United Nationals Security Council endorsement of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which Congress rejected in 1999 and North Korea has not signed. In a letter to the president, Sen. Moran and colleagues asked the president to clarify if parties to the CTBT would abide by the treaty’s prohibitions.

The full text of the letter may be found here.

Hello,

Welcome to “Kansas Common Sense.” Thanks for your continued interest in receiving my weekly newsletter. I was saddened to learn about the terror attacks in New York, New Jersey and Minnesota over the weekend. These are very challenging times for national security in the United States and incidents like these remind us that we must remain vigilant.

Congress is back to work this week with the passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) by a vote of 95-3. This authorization bill includes port and waterway improvement projects, supports flood control projects that will protect millions of people and billions of dollars in infrastructure and includes relief for communities with drinking water emergencies.

Pressing the VA Secretary for Answers on Hiring, Firing Practices
During a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Hearing on Wednesday, I pressed VA Secretary Bob McDonald about how a former physician assistant at the VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System who has been charged with sexually abusing veterans was not fired before resigning. I am frustrated that Secretary McDonald was unable to answer my questions as to how this individual was hired, and why, upon learning of his abuses, he was not immediately fired. The VA has a duty to protect and serve veterans – not to add to their wounds of war. I am horrified that this individual found their way into the VA in the first place and then used his position to harm those who have sacrificed for our nation.

Following the hearing, I introduced the Accountability to Safeguard Veterans from Violent Crimes Act of 2016 (S. 3330), which cuts pensions of VA providers who are convicted of a violent crime against a veteran. Those who violate the trust of our veterans must be held accountable. The notion that taxpayers would fund the benefits of individuals who have threatened or harmed our nation’s heroes is unacceptable. The VA has made excuses time and time again without firing those who have mistreated our veterans, and this legislation would make certain these individuals aren’t able to walk away with the same benefits as those who honorably served our veterans. Those who are on the frontlines of veteran care should be held to the highest of standards, and should not be allowed to keep their benefits if they are convicted of a violent crime against those they serve.

Administration Should Not Bypass Senate on Nuclear Testing Treaty
I joined U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and a group of 31 other senators this week in urging President Obama not to bypass the Senate in order to seek United Nations Security Council endorsement of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). The latest news that North Korea last Friday conducted its fifth known nuclear test underscores the importance of this issue. 

This administration’s ‘strategic patience’ approach has failed to rein in North Korea’s hostile nuclear weapons programs. The communist regime’s nuclear test on Friday – the fourth on the president’s watch – is just the latest example. North Korea and Iran are among the countries with nuclear programs that have not signed the CTBT and would not follow the same rules we do. The United States has not conducted a nuclear test since 1992, but permanently prohibiting future testing when it may be required for our nation’s safety is a debate that rightfully belongs to the Senate chosen by the American people. Click here to learn more. 

Pressing DHS for Answers on Criminal History of Suspect in Johnson County Deputy’s Death
Members of the Johnson County community gathered in Olathe Thursday to honor the life and service of Master Deputy Sheriff Brandon Collins. I am deeply saddened by this tragic loss of life and am determined to reduce the chances of such a tragedy occurring again. Due to the many questions that remain unanswered about the suspect of this crime, I joined Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley in calling on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson to provide Congress with information about the suspect’s full criminal and immigration history. We also asked the Secretary to explain how someone with a criminal history was able to avoid detection and unlawfully remain in the United States for over a decade. To read the Kansas City Star’s story on our letter, click here.

Opposing the Obama Administration’s ICANN Transition Plan
On Friday, I joined a number of my Senate Republican colleagues to urge our Democratic counterparts to oppose the Obama administration’s proposed Internet oversight transition that is set to take place on October 1, 2016. The administration’s plan to unilaterally give away oversight of the root functions of the Internet without appropriate Congressional input is irresponsible and has raised more questions than it has answered. Concerns include, but are not limited to, the influence of authoritarian regimes in Internet governance, freedom of speech, impacts on national security and consumer protection issues. The administration has repeatedly said that getting the transition “right” is more important than getting it done “on time,” but the closer we get to the deadline, the more it seems that they have gotten that backwards. This deadline is arbitrary, and the transition should not move forward without congressional approval.

USTR Challenges China’s Excessive Price Support Programs
I welcomed the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announcement this week that the U.S. will challenge China’s excessive price support programs for wheat, corn and rice at the World Trade Organization (WTO). While attention is often on the negotiation of new trade agreements, we need to be more aggressive in enforcing the current rules to protect American workers, farmers and small businesses. China’s support programs inflate their domestic production and decrease global crop prices – it’s estimated the programs cost U.S. wheat farmers between $650 to $700 million annually. The level of support violates commitments made by the Chinese when they joined the WTO and it is time they be held accountable for the unfair trading practices. With low prices and falling revenues, the United States ought to do all we can to make certain Kansas farmers are competing on a level playing field. I applaud the USTR for working with agriculture producers and defending American agriculture by pursuing the case. 

Working to Protect Kansans from Unfair, Deceptive BOTS Software
As Chairman of the Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance, and Data Security, I held a hearing Tuesday afternoon to evaluate legislation I introduced the Better Online Ticket Sales (BOTS) Act of 2016. This legislation would protect Kansans from the unfair and deceptive practices of “bots,” or software employed by individuals to “cut the line” in purchasing online tickets to live events while surpassing control mechanisms that limit the number of tickets purchased per individual. These “bots” buy hundreds or thousands of tickets for a live event, like a concert, play or sporting event, and resell them at exponentially higher prices than the original purchase. As a result, consumers are left with extremely limited and expensive ticket options when they want to attend the next Garth Brooks concert in Wichita or the University of Kansas basketball game in Lawrence. My legislation would prohibit the use of these troublesome bots by giving state attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission the legal authority to bring civil action against individuals employing them.

During the hearing, the subcommittee heard a variety of perspectives on this critical issue including testimony Commissioner Bob Bowlsby from the Big 12 Conference; Tony Award-winner Jeffrey Seller, the producer of Hamilton: An American Musical, and representatives from the primary and secondary online ticket markets. All of the witnesses expressed support for the BOTS Act and its beneficial impact on consumers’ ability to enjoy live entertainment. Click here to view the hearing.

Fighting to Keep Terrorists at GITMO
This week brought disturbing news in a report from the United States Director of National Intelligence revealing that two more released Guantanamo Bay (GITMO) detainees have returned to engaging in terrorist activities. Since the president announced his plan to close GITMO, we’ve seen a rush to transfer detainee terrorists out of the facility. This administration’s willingness to endanger American lives in order to fulfill a campaign promise is unacceptable, especially given the clear evidence showing that former detainees continue to return to the battlefield. I will continue fighting to keep the remaining detainees at the facility where they cannot engage in terrorist acts against the United States or our allies. For more information about my work to prevent transfers, click here. 

Keeping the Voice of Rural America Alive
I penned a column this week about the importance of community journalism. Growing up in rural Kansas, newspapers are where I not only learned about the rest of the world, but also who won Friday night at the football game, who was getting married, who received a blue ribbon at the county fair and which new businesses were opening in town. As Kansans, we care about our neighbors and the local paper is a big part of how we connect to them. We may no longer settle in with a print edition and our morning coffee at the kitchen table, or get to know our paperboy, but we can demonstrate our desire to keep community journalism alive by investing in online subscriptions, calling newsrooms with tips about upcoming events, and sharing articles with our neighbors. We can and must help slow the decline of newspaper readership – our communities depend on them just as much as they depend on us. Click here to read the full column.

NFIB Small Business Guardian Award
On Thursday, I was honored to receive the Small Business Guardian Award from National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) President Juanita Duggan. NFIB is the leading advocate for small businesses across the nation. Small businesses are the backbone of Kansas’ economy, and data from the Kauffman Foundation proves that companies less than five years old account for nearly all net new job creation in the United States. From agriculture to health care, we rely on small businesses to meet the needs of Kansas so that we can continue to prosper.

Celebrating National Aerospace Week
This week was National Aerospace Week, and I was pleased to join the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) to recognize the vital contributions of the aerospace industry to our economy and our national defense. The Aerospace Industry is where the priorities of a strong national defense and a strong economy converge, and I am proud that so many Kansans working in Wichita, the “Air Capitol of the World,” are able to contribute to those priorities. As Co-Chair of the Senate Aerospace Caucus, I had the honor of addressing a number of members of the aerospace industry on Wednesday evening, where we discussed the importance of undergoing the appropriations process each year to provide certainty in such a critical industry.

Visiting Emporia 
Participating in Emporia State President Allison Garrett’s Inauguration Ceremony
As Kansans, we place a high priority on education and we’re fortunate to have such excellent universities, community colleges and technical colleges in our state. Emporia State has been an integral piece of that puzzle for more than 150 years now. It was a pleasure to be at Emporia State on Friday afternoon for the inauguration of President Allison Garrett. With students back on campus and the school year in full swing, the sense of excitement was palpable. I wish Dr. Garrett well as she continues to build on that impression – that excitement. Hopefully her vision, charisma and experience will lead to many future successes and achievements. Welcome, President Garrett.

Emporia High School 
Emporia High School (EHS) Principal Britton Hart paid my office in Washington, D.C., a visit this week after he was named Kansas Principal of the Year – a well-deserved honor given for making a difference in the lives of Kansas students. I figured I would return the favor and pay his high school a visit Friday morning where I met Principal Hart, Superintendent Kevin Case and student leaders Carlos Flores, Damon Good, Kelsey Gordon, Hailey Horn and Alessa Torres for a tour of the school. It was good to hear from the students about what issues impact them in their lives and their futures hopes and aspirations. I appreciated the warm reception and commend Principal Hart and the faculty at EHS for their commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of their students and, by extension, our state.

Meeting Kansans at the State Fair
More than a century ago, a group of Hutchinson business leaders formed the Reno County Agricultural Society and hosted a fair in a small wooden livery stable behind the town’s only bank. In the years since, the Kansas State Fair has grown to become our state’s largest single event, attracting more than 365,000 attendees. I visited the State Fair this weekend and had the opportunity to meet with a number of Kansans who traveled there to enjoy the rides, food, exhibit halls, livestock barns and countless educational opportunities. Thank you to the Kansas State Fair Board Members and staff who put in hours of planning to make our fair a fun and educational event for all. Below is a photo of the future of agriculture at the fair! (Carston, age 5)

Mercy Hospital in Moundridge
I visited Mercy Hospital in Moundridge this week. While touring the facilities, we visited about how federal policies affect facilities like this one to continue to provide quality services to Kansans – now and in the future. Thanks to Hospital Administrator Doyle Johnson for hosting me on a Saturday morning.

Participating in FHSU Tigers Football Pre-Game Celebration
I joined the Fort Hays State University (FHSU) Tiger Family for a football pre-game celebration over the weekend. I enjoyed visiting with a number of students, faculty, administration, alumni and community supporters in attendance. Thanks to FHSU President Mirta Martin for the invitation to join and to FHSU General Counsel Kerry Wasinger for hosting the celebration.

Kansans in the Office
William Meyer of Overland Park

Capitol Tours
Paul Winter of Salina
Linda Winter of Salina
Doug Mergen of Salina
Susan Mergen of Salina
Jack Kline of Louisburg
Nancy Hart-Kline of Louisburg
Dan & Nina Palmgren of Satanta
Ann Gaschler of Hays
Carla Tomlin Great Bend
Brian and Kelli Nelson of Shawnee
Sharron Neimann of Goddard 
Kyle Nevills of Scott City

Sprint
Bill Barloon of Overland Park

American College of Rheumatology
Kent Huston of Leawood

Kansas Farmers Union Member
Sean Gatewood of Topeka
Donn Teske of Wheaton

AIPAC
Bonnie Siegel of Leawood
Peter Levi of Leawood

American Academy of Dermatology Association
Holly Fritch of Leawood
Bob Doust of Topeka

Kansas Principal of the Year
Britton Hart of Emporia
William Neinstedt of Hartford

American Cancer Society
Judith Calhoun of Lawrence
Gay Garrett of Merriam
Sue Jirkovsky-Landers of Tecumseh
Jerry Seiver of Wichita
Meghan Urwin of Sublette
Jordan Rickabaugh of Lawrence

Southwest Power Pool
Mike Morley of Hays
Phil Wages of Topeka
Clare Gustin of Hays

International Franchise Association
Dutch Tyron of Topeka
Jacqui Tyron of Topeka 
Lori Dusterhut of Olathe
Tom Dusterhut of Olathe
James Bull of Topeka

National Association of Wheat Growers
David Schemm of Sharon Springs

The Clay Group
Frank Clay of Overland Park

Honored to Serve You in Washington
It 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 by clicking here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C., office.

Very truly yours,
Jerry

As Kansans, we know our neighbors and look after them. In our small towns and our big cities, we know the value of the relationships we build with one another and how important it is to treat each other the way we would want to be treated. We teach our children to be moral and responsible citizens, and that they each have a role to play in shaping what Americans represent, both at home and across the globe. We treasure the American Dream and want to make certain our children and grandchildren have the opportunity that we’ve had to pursue that dream. Public service is about protecting these values. That’s part of why it’s so important for me to spend time at home in Kansas.

One of the principles I think of most frequently when making choices about which legislation I should draft or support is the idea that, the vast majority of the time, the decisions that have the most impact on our daily lives are best made at the state and local level. No one has a better understanding of the needs of their community than a small-town mayor who talks firsthand with business owners in her town, the police chief of a major metropolitan city who spends his days in the neighborhoods he works to keep safe, or the high school principal who has helped generations of students graduate and enter adulthood.

Similarly, an elected official can best protect your values when he or she is plugged in to the daily needs of the communities being served. We don’t fix our problems from afar, we fix them when we have a personal experience with them. When I fought to get the Lesser Prairie Chicken delisted by the EPA, I remembered individual conversations with land owners across Kansas about the impact the listing would have on their ability to manage their own land. When I battled to bring federal screening services back to the Salina Regional Airport and ensure residents can benefit from commercial service, I thought about those living in Salina who had spoken to me about how much they relied on the airport for travel to see their friends and family. I continue to fight against closure of the base on Guantánamo Bay in part because of the looks I’ve seen on the faces of members of the Leavenworth community when they talk about what housing detainees there would entail.

The impact of having conversations at home is why, when I first came to Congress, I decided to hold a town hall meeting in every county I represented in the Big First each year. As your senator, the listening tour has evolved into hosting a community forum in each of the 105 counties in our state each congress.

At these meetings, I sometimes meet people whose views vary from my own. In some ways, that is the most crucial part. It’s certainly easier to spend time with people who agree with me, but I may learn more from those with different perspectives. At a time where partisan rancor and gridlock seem more prevalent than ever, and when many feel that their government is becoming less and less responsive, there is nothing more valuable than having a real conversation about the things that matter most to all of us. This is a way to build consensus.

Those topics vary from community to community. In WaKeeney earlier this month, I heard from residents about the need to stop EPA overreach through the Clean Water Act. That same day at a town hall in Atwood, we discussed how federal regulations impact local pharmacies and the amount of money we’re spending on our national defense. When I stopped in Lenexa, Johnson County locals shared with me the importance of making certain our education system prepares our children for their bright futures.

In a state where our largest city has a population of almost 400,000 and our smallest community has a fraction of that number, it’s critical for me to get perspectives from rural and urban communities alike. Our needs are unique and specific, and these stops help me learn what’s most pressing.

I wrapped up my third 105-stop tour since being elected to the Senate last week with a stop in Sharon Springs. Though much has changed since my first town hall, my efforts in Washington, D.C., remain much the same today as they were when I was first elected: to see that we protect our Kansas way of life and have opportunity for all in the communities we call home. The stakes feel higher today, and I hear the need for action from every American I talk to.

I will continue to fight on behalf of Kansans in our nation’s capital, and I will continue to fight for the future of our country. I’m thankful for the opportunity to hear from you – your questions, complaints and marching orders help me work on your behalf.

You can learn more about my upcoming travels in Kansas by subscribing to my weekly newsletter at www.moran.senate.gov.

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U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) participated in an investigative Senate Banking Hearing today with Wells Fargo CEO Mr. John Stumpf. During the hearing, Sen. Moran pressed Mr. Stumpf for answers in light of the recent news that thousands of Wells Fargo employees created millions of unauthorized accounts.

WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – Chairman of the Senate Consumer Protection, Product Safety, Insurance and Data Security Subcommittee – today announced that his bipartisan bill, the Better Online Ticket Sales Act (S. 3183), passed the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. The Better Online Ticket Sales Act, also known as the BOTS Act, would put an end to “ticket bots” that bypass security measures on online ticketing websites to buy large quantities of tickets for re-sell on secondary markets.

“Whether it’s a Garth Brooks concert in Wichita, or the most hyped and prestigious Broadway show of all time – Hamilton – the digital age has made acquiring tickets easier than ever,” said Sen. Moran. “But an age-old issue, ticket scalping, has been made even more prevalent by advances in technology. Ticket bots cut the line, buy available tickets, and then sell them at a significant markup – making it harder and more expensive for Kansans to attend live performances. This bipartisan bill levels the playing field for consumers across the country, and I’m pleased to see it move forward with bipartisan support.”

Chairman Moran convened a Consumer Protection Subcommittee hearing last week that included testimony from Jeffrey Seller, producer of hit Broadway musical Hamilton, Big 12 Conference Commissioner Bob Bowlsby, and representatives from StubHub and Ticketfly.

Full bill text is available here.

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DENVER – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee – toured the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Denver District Laboratory on Friday, Sept. 2. He was joined on the tour by FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf, Global Regulatory Operations and Policy Deputy Commissioner Howard Sklamberg, Regulatory Affairs Deputy Associate Commissioner Dr. Steve Solomon, and Office of Operations CFO Jay Tyler.

“The tour provided valuable insight as to how ongoing research helps ensure our food supply is healthy and safe,” said Sen. Moran. “As I consider appropriations for the FDA, I appreciate seeing firsthand the work of their facilities to make certain the health of American families, from farm to fork, is a top priority. Besides helping to keep consumers safe, the research performed by scientists at the lab benefits Kansas agriculture producers by continuing to instill confidence in our food systems.”

The Denver lab focuses on chemicals and microorganisms found in food, drugs, devices and cosmetics, and plays an instrumental role in antibiotic resistance testing. The lab is home to the Animal Drugs Research Center (ADRC), whose work centers on research for livestock drugs and ways we can minimize the impact of medications used for animals across the food chain.

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U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) commended the Senate Finance Committee’s passage this week of the Miners Protection Act (S. 1714). The bill transitions surplus, unused funds from the Abandoned Mine Land Fund to reinforce miners’ pension and health benefits programs, which are managed by the United Mine Workers of America.

“Retired miners in Kansas face the threat of a reduction or loss of health and retirement benefits,” said Sen. Moran. “This bipartisan legislation would enhance the federal government’s ability to uphold its previous commitments to retired miners and their families in Kansas.”

The coal industry’s free fall and its growing number of beneficiaries have placed the programs at risk of insolvency. The legislation will now await consideration by the full U.S. Senate.

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WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) this week sponsored the Volunteer Organization Protection Act (S. 1684) to provide additional liability protections to volunteer groups and organizations like Lions Clubs International, Rotary International, Kiwanis International, the YMCA and more. This bill would expand good Samaritan protections to diminish a person’s risk of liability when participating in acts of service as a volunteer.

“The efforts of volunteer organizations like Lions Clubs, Rotary, Kiwanis and the YMCA are essential to communities across Kansas, and I’m proud to support legislation that will help to make certain nonprofit volunteer groups are able to continue to serve others,” Sen. Moran said. “These clubs and their members make a positive and meaningful contribution to the quality of life in their communities.”

Specifically, the legislation amends the Volunteer Protection Act of 1997 to:

• Prevent the application of vicarious liability rules to non-profit organizations who conduct their activities using primarily volunteers and who did not expressly authorize an alleged harm-producing activity in anticipation of raising charitable funds; and
• Extend governmental immunities to non-profit organizations for actions taken at the request of, or on the authority of, a government entity that would be immune if it undertook the actions itself. 

S. 1684 was introduced by Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and is currently pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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Hello,

Welcome to “Kansas Common Sense.” Thanks for your continued interest in receiving my weekly newsletter.

Examining the FDA’s Role in Generic Drug Price Setting
I chaired a Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee this week to examine the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) role in the generic drug marketplace. It included testimony from FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Director Janet Woodcock. We’ve seen the impact that escalating costs of name-brand drugs has on Americans and their families. While the FDA doesn’t determine drug prices, it plays a critical role in getting life-saving drugs to the marketplace to create competition and lower prices.

In 2012, Congress approved the Generic Drug User Fee Act to speed up efforts to bring generic drugs to the market. Over the past three years, the FDA has hired an additional 1,000 employees and replaced antiquated information technology systems. Despite the influx of resources, there are still thousands of generic drug applications awaiting approval. Click here to learn more.



Pressing Wells Fargo CEO During Senate Banking Hearing
On Tuesday, I participated in a Senate Banking Committee hearing in order to learn more about the creation of millions of unauthorized customer accounts at Wells Fargo. I questioned Wells Fargo President and CEO John Strumpf about the inappropriate actions taken by Wells Fargo employees while noting that the relationships that banks develop with customers should always benefit the customer. Trust and communication are an important part of the financial services relationship as demonstrated by the way we do business in Kansas. That relationship was taken advantage of at Wells Fargo. I look forward to the continued examination of this situation and will continue to work to ensure that Kansans are appropriately protected. Click here to watch video from the hearing.



Pushing for Stronger Sanctions Against North Korea
This month, the communist regime in North Korea completed their fifth nuclear test, demonstrating the clear threat their nuclear weapons program presents to global security. In response, I joined my Senate colleagues in sending a letter to President Obama urging him to impose secondary sanctions on countries that provide assistance to North Korea. These secondary sanctions were authorized when the Senate unanimously passed the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act in February of this year. Failure to impose sanctions on those who assist North Korea enables the regime to continue its dangerous behavior, and the President should use the tools Congress has provided to curtail nuclear proliferation and testing.

Bill to Improve Consumer Access to Entertainment Events Passes Commerce Committee
My bill, the Better Online Tickets Sales (BOTS) Act of 2016, passed out of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee this week. The bill is now ready to be considered on the Senate floor. I introduced this important legislation to address an age-old issue, ticket scalping, which has been made even more prevalent by advances in technology. “Ticket bots” cut the line, buy available tickets, and then sell them on secondary markets at a significant markup – making it harder and more expensive for Kansans to attend live performances. This bipartisan bill levels the playing field for consumers, and I’m pleased to see it move forward with widespread, bipartisan support.

Visiting Blue Valley Northwest High School
I met with student leaders and educators and toured Blue Valley Northwest High School (BVNW) this week. While at BVNW I had the opportunity to meet with Principal Dr. Amy Murphy and to hear from her about the school’s efforts to prepare students for the future. Students shared with me their educational and extracurricular experiences at BVNW, as well as their perspective about their teachers. I appreciate the efforts of all the educators and administrators at BVNW working to make a difference in young Kansans’ lives.



Learning More at K-State Olathe
Kansas State University Olathe is primarily focused on graduate studies in biosciences and biotechnology careers. I visited with Dr. Ralph Richardson about K-State Olathe’s community outreach partnership with local high schools and the benefits of this program for our local students and the university’s research potential. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, which oversees funding for agriculture and biomedical research, I appreciated the valuable discussions I had with university staff about how their research will impact the future.



Visiting the KU School of Medicine in Salina
I visited Salina on Friday and toured the University of Kansas School of Medicine Salina campus. I had the pleasure of visiting with Sean Webb, a 3rd year student from Wamego, the Salina campus’s director Dr. Cathcart-Rake and Salina Community Foundation Executive Director Tom Martin (pictured).

The KU School of Medicine Salina campus was created to address the shortage of physicians across the state. The Salina facility admits eight students each year, making it the smallest four-year medical education site in the country, and is specifically designed for students who wish to practice medicine in rural areas. The campus is a great step forward in addressing the unique challenges of rural health care delivery in Kansas.

The campus’ proximity to the Salina Regional Health Center is ideal for students who benefit from interaction with practicing physicians. Their curriculum matches the University’s Kansas City and Wichita campuses. In their third and fourth years, students complete clinical clerkships at hospitals and physician offices in the region.



Service Academy Interview Day
I had the honor of meeting more than 50 students from Kansas at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library in Abilene on Saturday as part of my annual Service Academy Selection Day. Students applying for admission to the U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy interviewed with my selection board. Applicants submit an application to my office that includes a personal statement, resume, letters of references, academic transcripts and standardized test scores.

This day has always been a favorite of mine because I get to meet some of the best and brightest young people in our state. It also reminds me that Kansas produces smart, hard-working, civic-minded people who will do great things in the future.

Thanks to Linda Smith of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library for hosting us. Also, this important process would be not be possible without the help and hard work of my selection board. The members of the board are leaders from across Kansas who take a great interest in seeing students succeed. The board members review applications and conduct interviews before giving me their recommendations.

Members of the 2016 service academy selection board include: Dennis Butler of Ottawa; Ardith Dunn of Satanta; Sue Givens of El Dorado; Robin Jackson of Hutchinson; Ryan Kriegshauser and Andy Tompkins of Topeka; Cheryl Kerns and Brian Kessens of Overland Park; Sam Turner of Leawood; Katrina Lewison of Manhattan; Marche Fleming-Randle, Sean Ritchie and John O’Leary of Wichita; Jayne Pearce of Wallace; Paula Ripple of Dodge City; Delbert Stanton of Hays and Ron Whitney of Emporia.



Getting to Know Synchrony Financial
I had a good visit before heading back to Washington Monday morning at Synchrony Financial in Merriam. As a member of the Senate Banking Committee and the appropriations subcommittee with jurisdiction over federal financial services, it’s a priority of mine to learn more about the businesses operating in that sector in our state. The services they provide facilitate businesses' growth – from retail store credit cards to health clinic financing. Synchrony is also growing rapidly, aiming to employ 1,000 area residents by year’s end. I appreciate the folks at Synchrony for hosting me and for their commitment to good corporate citizenship in Kansas.



Recognizing Angels in Adoption

I had the privilege of welcoming Tony and LaDawna Smith of Sterling to my Washington, D.C., office this week as my nominees to be recognized as Angels in Adoption by the Congressional Coalition for Adoption Institute. With their three eldest children grown up and living independently, Tony and LaDawna sought to assume a new role as adoptive parents. Working with St. Francis Community Services in Salina and the Kansas Department for Children and Families, they added to their family six children—three brothers and three sisters—who were at the time between the ages of 19 months to 10 years old. The adoption was finalized in early 2015. Tony and LaDawna, with the support of their three grown children, exemplify the best in Kansas values, and I congratulate them on this well-deserved honor. Click here to learn more about the Smith family.

Celebrating the Life of John Zutavern
I attended funeral services for John Zutavern in Abilene Friday afternoon. John will long be remembered for his many years of service and leadership in the Abilene community. John served as a member of the City Commission since 1991 and twice as mayor. During his lifetime, he worked tirelessly to improve educational opportunities for Kansas children and was actively involved in a number of local government organizations, including the Governor’s Advisory Committee for Children and Families, the Kansas Health Institute, and the League of Kansas Municipalities. I am thankful I was able to attend the services and will be keeping John’s wife Martha and his family and friends in my prayers.

Accepting Applications for Spring Internships
My own interest in public service was sparked by an internship for Kansas First District Congressman Keith Sebelius in 1974. As an intern, I had the chance to learn firsthand how a Congressional office operates and how the legislative process works.

I am proud to be able to offer this same opportunity in my Senate office today where I have interns year-round who have a unique opportunity to work closely with my staff on behalf of Kansans. Applications are already being accepted for internships in my Washington, D.C., Manhattan, and Olathe, Kansas, offices for the spring 2017 term. The deadline for the spring is Friday, October 28. Congressional internships are open to qualified undergraduate and graduate students who have an interest in public service and have achieved academic excellence. Click here for more information.

Kansans in the Office

Capitol Tours
Ryan Kinsler of Kingman
Judy Kinsler of Kingman
Ross Kinsler of Kingman
Aaron Borland of Overland Park
Shanna Borland of Overland Park
Bill Griffith of Olathe
Will Griffith of Olathe
Ben Griffith of Olathe
Chad Von Ahmen of Overland Park
Lara McGrew of Arkansas City
Anthony Garvin of Topeka
Victoria Garvin of Topeka
Wendy Bell of Topeka
Teresa Crandall of Topeka
Ronda Bratton of Atchison
Rex Tedrow of Eudora
Janice Tedrow of Eudora

American Academy of Pediatrics
Dennis Cooley of Topeka

American Association for Cancer Research
Roy Jensen of Gardner

American Society of Clinical Oncology
Joshua Mammen of Leawood

KU School of Education
Dean Rick Ginsburg of Lawrence
Jack Cline of Lawrence

Communities in Schools
Malissa Martin of Lawrence
Brandy Tofel of Lawrence

American Society of Health System Pharmacists
Rick Couldry of Shawnee
Amber Lucas of Olathe
Joe Slechta of North Newton

National Association of Farm Service Agency County Office Employees
Marla Hammer of Sublette
Benjamin Hanson of Leonardville
Lory Scott of Stafford

Kansas Automobile Dealers Association
Don McNeely of Topeka
North McArthur of Salina
Mike Carpino of Columbus
Tony Holcombe of Manhattan
Larry Carl of Overland Park
Debra DeBiasse of Salina

Angels in Adoption
Tom and LaDawna Smith of Sterling

Worldwide Innovations and Technology, Inc.
John Cadwalter of Overland Park

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas
Sunee Mickle of Topeka

Land O’Lakes
Lyman Adams of Hillsboro
Carolyn McGinn of Sedgwick

Growth Energy
Derek Peine of Hays
Mike Chisam of Hutchinson
Nathan VanderGriend of Wichita
Jesse McCurry of Colwich
Denis Miller of Phillipsburg

American Occupational Therapy Association/American Society of Hand Therapists
Amy Acuna of Chanute

National Peace Corps Association
Ruth Ficek Stepien of Olathe
Jessica Szalawiga of Mission

Honored to Serve You in Washington
It 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 by clicking here. You can also click here to contact me through one of my Kansas offices or my Washington, D.C., office.

Very truly yours,
Jerry

Sod. Boxcars. Stone. Wood. Canvas. Kansans had utilized all of these materials in the construction of their homes before we were even recognized as a territory. As the pioneers of our great state learned, shelter from the temperamental Kansas weather patterns was a primary need for survival.

That need for housing is just as great today as rural America ‎fights for its own survival. My travels around Kansas date back to my time as the Congressman for “The Big First” district. At that time, the district was a collection of 69 largely rural counties dominated by fields of grain, pastures of cattle, and oil and gas wells. My conversations with community leaders as their congressman are no different than they are now as their senator. How do we make certain that the next generation has the opportunity to continue to enjoy the special way of life we have cultivated in rural Kansas?

The most common answer to that question often centers on the availability of housing. One of the most consistent concerns expressed to me by city councils, county commissioners, and local economic development directors is the lack of available housing stock, which hampers these local leaders’ ability to recruit job creators to their communities.

Once this need has been identified, however, the difficult task of finding solutions begins. Federal programs like the Low Income Housing Tax Credit and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program are useful tools for developers and local governments who augment these resources with additional credit from banks and credit unions when available. For example, Ulysses, Kan., has begun construction on a number of workforce housing units utilizing a blend of financial tools that include federal components.‎ However, it is clear that the need far outstrips the availability of these programs. So why isn’t private investment jumping at this opportunity to fill a necessary void?

As a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, I work to make certain that rural interests are represented. In past hearings on housing finance issues, I have questioned large developers about the relative lack of attention paid to rural housing projects. The typical response I receive is as obvious as it is frustrating. I am told that there is very little incentive, from a business standpoint, to make the investment in rural America due to the economies of scale. Simply put, the costs associated with rural construction cannot be offset due to the relatively low number of units needed compared to larger population centers.

So how do we empower local builders to partner with their communities to fill this need? The answer to this question is largely tied to the cost and availability of local credit. New regulations put in place following passage of the Dodd-Frank legislation disproportionately affect our community banks and credit unions. Our local lenders are increasingly being squeezed out of their own housing economies because the cost of complying with these new rules, coupled with the fear of the consequences if they were to make an honest mistake, prevents them from serving their communities as they have always done. When the Senate Banking Committee was exploring changes to the secondary mortgage market, I sought the feedback of numerous Kansas lenders. I was surprised to frequently hear the response, “Oh senator, we don’t do home loans anymore.” To hear that local lenders are no longer in the business of financing the purchase of a home because of how they are treated by their government is terribly damaging.

While my Senate colleagues and I have introduced a number of bills to relieve this burden, it is clear to me that one piece of legislation authored, debated, passed and signed into law is not going to provide the comprehensive solution to the growing rural housing problem. Rather, it will take a mixture of legislation, appropriate regulatory changes, and perhaps most importantly, a growing economy to solve this issue.

But just as those early Kansas sodbusters refused to give up on their dreams of making a life for themselves, so too will I remain steadfast in my work in the United States Senate so that all who care to share in that special way of life we live in Kansas can do so for years to come.

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WASHINGTON– U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee – today voted for the Fiscal Year 2017 continuing resolution which funds a number of construction projects at McConnell Air Force Base and key infrastructure improvements for American military forces.

“The work of the men and women at McConnell Air Force Base benefits not only our military on a global scale but also the entire Wichita community,” said Sen. Moran. “These new projects will strengthen McConnell’s capabilities, especially as they prepare for the arrival of the KC-46A tankers.”

Sen. Moran has worked to secure funding for important military construction projects in fiscal year 2017 to prepare McConnell Air Force Base for the arrival of KC-46A tankers including:

• A new Air Traffic Control Tower: $11.2 million for construction;
• KC-46A Alter Flight Simulator Buildings: $3 million for flight simulator buildings in preparation for the KC-46A tankers; and
• A new KC-46A ADAL Taxiway Delta: $5.6 million for construction.

Since 1941, McConnell Air Force Base has been an instrumental part of the Wichita community. The base employs more than 17,000 people, military and civilian, and last year it had an overall impact of more than $520 million on our local economy. McConnell supports all branches of the military and allied partners, refueling off of either coast and around the world every day.

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) released the following statement today following his affirmative vote for the Fiscal Year 2017 continuing resolution, which includes critical funding for the Zika virus response, veterans’ programs and key infrastructure improvements for American military forces:

“No woman’s reaction to learning she is pregnant should be fear because of Zika, and no newborn child’s well-being should be endangered because their nation’s leaders lack the will to get the job done. My conversations with CDC Director Tom Frieden and visit to the K-State Biosecurity Research Institute both underscored this point: we must provide emergency resources to protect our citizens from the threat of Zika.

“I have never believed in band-aid extensions and while there’s no substitute for regular budget order, passage of this interim bill is the responsible way to address the Zika virus and provide certainty to Kansans and Americans. It also keeps essential functions of our government running, includes vital protections for veterans, and prioritizes critical military construction projects.”

Background
Sen. Moran has been an advocate to finding a solution to fund research for the Zika virus including:

• Visiting Kansas State University on Aug. 24, 2016, to learn more about Zika in Kansas;
• Penning an op-ed on Aug. 25, 2016, encouraging Congress to come together to find a solution on Zika; and
• Discussing the Zika virus with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Director Dr. Tom Frieden on Sept. 8, 2016.

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