Soaring Inflation and Supply Chain Challenges Will Make This Thanksgiving the Most Expensive in History
Rising Prices Are Affecting Produces in Kansas
On Wednesday, I joined a number of of my Senate colleagues to debate inflation reaching a 30-yr excessive and the rising price of meals objects which are set to make this Thanksgiving the costliest in historical past for American households.
Report-excessive costs are additionally affecting our farmers and ranchers – those that produce our meals. A Kansas farmer in McCune, Kansas, instructed me, ‘the whole fertilizer price to boost corn, wheat and soybeans may enhance by $350,000 for our household farm.’ One other farmer, this one in Holcomb, Kansas, instructed me, ‘with the elevated price of inputs like fertilizer, gasoline and chemical, we must alter our farming practices if we need to survive.’ Inflation is hurting everybody from these on the checkout counter to farmers and ranchers producing our meals. Click on here or under to hearken to my remarks.
Talking in Opposition to President Biden’s Nominee for Comptroller of the Forex
On Thursday, I spoke on the Senate ground in opposition to President Biden’s nominee for Comptroller of the Forex, Dr. Saule Omarova following her nomination listening to in entrance of the Senate Banking Committee.
Though Dr. Omarova claims to help group banks, her plan would relegate them to mere franchises of the bigger Federal Reserve, and her feedback have alarmed many group bankers. They’ve grave issues about her insurance policies that may, as she mentioned, ‘finish banking as we all know it.’ We should repeatedly work to enhance our monetary sector for everybody, however forcing customers to financial institution with the federal government would do rather more hurt than good. Kansans need much less authorities in their lives, no more.
Sadly, Dr. Omarova’s affirmation listening to solely deepened my issues. Whereas she is entitled to her radical views, they don’t have any place in the position because the nation’s high financial institution regulator. By nominating Dr. Omarova, President Biden seems to basically reshape banking from a market-pushed business to a one-measurement-matches-all authorities takeover. Watch by clicking here or under.
Vaccine Mandates
Vaccine Mandate on Non-public Companies is a Federal Overreach
This week, I joined 49 of my Senate Republican colleagues in introducing a decision of disapproval beneath the Congressional Evaluate Act, which seeks to nullify the Biden administration’s Occupational Security and Well being Administration (OSHA) Emergency Short-term Customary (ETS) vaccine mandate for personal companies. I’m vaccinated and proceed to induce others to get vaccinated. That was my choice and ought to be left to every particular person in session with docs they belief, not the federal authorities. President Biden’s federal vaccine mandates are extremely divisive, and his mandate on non-public companies in specific is an overreach of govt authority that threatens to worsen the labor shortages confronted by employers in Kansas and throughout the nation. Because of this I joined all of my Senate Republican colleagues in formally introducing this decision of disapproval beneath the Congressional Evaluate Act to overturn the federal vaccine mandate.
Late final week, the fifth Circuit Courtroom of Appeals upheld its keep to enjoin the President’s OSHA vaccine mandate for personal companies with 100 or extra staff and barred OSHA from taking steps to implement or implement the mandate whereas the keep is in impact. After a number of lawsuits have been filed towards the OSHA mandate in a number of appeals courts, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation lottery this week drew the sixth Circuit Courtroom of Appeals to listen to the consolidated authorized challenges. The sixth Circuit shall be tasked with listening to the authorized challenges to the OSHA mandate and decide whether or not or to not raise the keep issued by the fifth Circuit.
Stopping Staffing Well being Care Staffing Shortages
This week, I urged Facilities for Medicare and Medicaid Providers (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to rescind or in the absence of rescission, considerably modify the COVID-19 Healthcare Employees Vaccination interim rule to forestall staffing shortages for healthcare suppliers throughout the nation.
In line with the interim rule issued on November 4, 2021, workers at Medicare and Medicaid licensed suppliers and suppliers are required to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine. I known as on Administrator Brooks-LaSure and the Biden administration to rescind the rule; nevertheless, if the rule is to face, it’s important to make it extra workable for Kansas healthcare suppliers. Particularly, CMS ought to enable for normal testing in place of the vaccine and extra flexibility to rural healthcare suppliers who already function on a small quantity of workers. The CMS vaccine mandate will exacerbate a career already battling staffing scarcity and burnout, threatens Individuals’ entry to care by inflicting workers resignations and will increase the chance of healthcare facility closures, particularly in rural communities and Well being Skilled Scarcity Areas. Vaccination is vital in getting our nation again to regular, and in line with Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC), knowledge over 65% of the U.S. inhabitants has acquired no less than one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Implementing a strict federal mandate on healthcare professionals will solely generate a set of latest problems that may hinder an already brief-staffed well being care workforce. Learn the complete letter by clicking right here.
Supporting Our Veterans
Laws to Profit the Households of Fallen Servicemembers Heads to President’s Desk for Signature
My laws, the Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Equity for Survivors Act, handed the U.S. Home of Representatives this week and is now headed to the President’s desk to be signed into legislation.
If signed, this invoice will enhance in-state tuition eligibility for the households of veterans who die from service-related disabilities. The invoice is known as to honor the reminiscence of U.S. Military Colonel John McHugh, who was killed in Kabul, Afghanistan, in 2010, whereas he and his household have been stationed at Fort Leavenworth. His daughter, Kelly, was attending Kansas State College on the time of his loss of life. The Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Equity for Survivors Act would require public faculties and universities that obtain GI Invoice advantages to supply in-state tuition charges for college students utilizing the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Schooling Help (DEA) program. This can decrease out-of-pocket prices for these college students to pursue an schooling and obtain the advantages their family members earned for them by means of their service. Navy service is household service, and I’m humbled his reminiscence and sacrifice will each positively impression the households of fallen servicemembers and be remembered for years to return.
Tragedy Help Program for Survivors Congressional Award
On Tuesday, I acquired the Tragedy Help Program for Survivors (TAPS) Congressional Award. TAPS is a corporation that’s tireless in its advocacy for our army, veterans and the surviving households of our fallen servicemembers. I’m additionally grateful for his or her work in serving to advance my invoice, the Colonel John M. McHugh Tuition Equity for Survivors Act.
Whether or not somebody is a surviving partner, little one, father or mother, sibling, brother or sister in arms, TAPS offers a spot of refuge, group and hope, and I need to thank them for all they do to advocate for and help our army, our veteran group and most significantly, our survivors.
Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Listening to
On Wednesday, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee held a listening to to look at pending laws that may impression the VA’s Workplace of Inspector Common, the Veterans Advantages Administration and the Nationwide Cemetery Administration. Included have been three payments that I sponsored. These payments would supply GI Invoice parity for Nationwide Guard and Reservists, make sure homeless veterans and at-danger-for-homelessness veterans residing in each state and territory have entry to specialised employment and coaching providers and would improve rural veterans’ entry to incapacity exams and advantages. I heard from skilled witnesses in help of the laws I sponsored that may improve the lives of Kansas veterans, their communities and veterans throughout America. The Senate VA Committee continues to be an instance of how we are able to put the wants of these we’re right here to serve first – our veterans, these nonetheless serving, their households who’ve served alongside them and our fallen heroes.
Thank You to Kansas’ Household Companies
Thanks to the Kansas Household Enterprise Discussion board for the work you do to help household companies and to Kansas enterprise homeowners for being the spine of our communities.
Questioning FCC Appearing Chairwoman
This week, I questioned Appearing Chairwomen Jessica Rosenworcel throughout her nomination listening to on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. Throughout the listening to, I used to be happy to speak to Appearing Chairwoman Rosenworcel about native broadcasters and journalism, which give priceless providers to our communities. I additionally questioned Rosenworcel on how the FCC plans to deal with provide chain shortages. America’s bottlenecked provide chain system threatens to delay the buildout of broadband in a well timed vogue, and any delay to increasing this very important service for rural Kansans is unacceptable and can’t be ignored by the FCC. I respect Appearing Chairwomen Rosenworcel’s expressed dedication to remain on schedule and work together with her staff on the FCC to deal with provide chain shortfalls. If she is confirmed, I’ll proceed to work with the FCC to make sure the company’s essential work is being accomplished successfully and effectively for Kansans.
Elevating Issues Over New Container Delivery Charges at Ports
On Friday, I led 14 of my Senate colleagues in urging the Federal Maritime Fee to reevaluate the brand new charges imposed for transport container carriers on the Ports of Los Angeles and Lengthy Seashore that shall be imposed beginning immediately. I expressed issues that this elevated transport prices will ultimately be handed on to American customers.
These charges, identical to tariffs, in the end shall be handed onto the American client in the type of greater costs for items at a time when the costs are already at file highs. With out query, ports throughout the USA are experiencing unprecedented congestion and file container volumes. We’re sympathetic to the pressure positioned on all aspects of the worldwide provide chain, however it’s misguided to levy an exorbitant price beneath these unprecedented circumstances. Definitely, the delays and congestion at these ports is a multi-faceted downside, however these hyper-demurrage charges aren’t the answer. If left in place, they’ll have important penalties for importers and American customers. Learn the complete letter right here.
Asserting USDA Grant for Metropolis of Quinter
This week, I introduced a USDA Rural Growth grant awarded to the town of Quinter to finish enhancements to the town’s water provide system.
Bettering Quinter’s water system is vital to make sure residents have dependable entry to water. I’m happy this federal funding will assist Quinter thrive for years to return, and as a member of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee with jurisdiction over USDA, I’ll proceed to advocate for applications which are vital to enhance the standard of life in our rural communities.
Advert Astra!
Assembly NASA Crew-1 Astronauts
This week, I had the privilege of assembly astronauts who have been the primary to fly to the Worldwide Area Station by a U.S. business spacecraft. Becoming a member of the group was United States Area Pressure colonel and NASA astronaut, Michael Hopkins. He was the primary astronaut to switch to the U.S. Area Pressure and participated in the switch ceremony whereas aboard the Worldwide Area Station. As Rating Member of the Senate committee that gives sources for NASA, I’m happy to proceed supporting NASA and its missions in low Earth orbit and deep house exploration.
Thanks Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker and Soichi Noguchi on your dedication to science and exploration.
Discussing the Way forward for Area with the Area Pressure Caucus
This week, I visited with Secretary of the Air Pressure Frank Kendall and Common John Raymond, Chief of Area Operations, on the Senate Area Pressure Caucus Breakfast. As Russia’s reckless and harmful antisatellite take a look at proved this week, we want a agency presence and decisive technological benefit in house to make sure that house stays safe. Although the Area Pressure is a fledgling group, it has the expertise and imaginative and prescient amongst its management to attain that edge. I’m proud to serve them as Senate Area Pressure Caucus Co-chair, and I’m grateful to the companions in academia and business leaders who contribute to America’s management in house, particularly the various organizations we’ve in Kansas. I’ll proceed to work to leverage our nation’s finest expertise and sources to assist the Area Pressure stay the most effective in the world.
Discussing Power with David Campbell of Evergy
On Thursday, I met with David Campbell of Evergy. David began his tenure as Evergy’s President and CEO in January. Throughout our assembly, we mentioned Evergy’s efforts to embrace various vitality sources like wind and nuclear energy whereas additionally specializing in affordability and reliability for purchasers. I stay up for working with David to advance our shared precedence of making certain Evergy’s 1.6 million prospects throughout Kansas and Missouri have entry to inexpensive, dependable vitality.
Watch: Internet hosting United Launch Alliance in Wichita
Final week, I hosted United Launch Alliance (ULA) CEO Tory Bruno and his staff in Wichita to showcase the capabilities of our aerospace producers and reveal Wichita because the “Air Capital of the World.”
Aerospace producers in Kansas are and shall be very important contributors in the brand new period of house – whether or not that’s house exploration or defending our nation. Watch a fast recap of ULA’s go to by clicking right here or under.
Discussing Israeli Safety with AIPAC
I visited with members from AIPAC on Wednesday to debate the newest developments regarding Israel’s safety. After Israel depleted its Iron Dome protection towards Hamas rocket assaults in Could, American help is crucial to replenish these munitions earlier than Hamas strikes once more. I absolutely help this funding in order that Israel can defend itself towards terrorists. We additionally talked in regards to the implementation of the Abraham Accords, in which Arab states agreed final yr to normalize relations with Israel. This progress should not be undermined, and I sponsor laws that directs the State Division to strengthen and broaden these historic agreements. We concluded with a evaluation of Iran’s non-compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal and the right way to reverse Iran’s increasing nuclear program. I reaffirmed that Iran should not be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. The USA has no better accomplice in the Center East than Israel, and I’m dedicated to making sure Israel can get pleasure from peace and prosperity.
Assembly with KCKCC Management in Kansas Metropolis
On Monday morning earlier than heading to Washington, D.C., I had the chance to tour Kansas Metropolis Kansas Neighborhood School (KCKCC) Technical Schooling Middle the place I visited with KCKCC’s management in addition to HVAC and Building Instructors and College students. I met with KCKCC’s management in our nation’s capital earlier this fall, and I used to be happy to see them in Kansas Metropolis.
The Technical Schooling Middle gives vocational coaching to college students across the metro Kansas Metropolis space. These nicely-paying jobs are in excessive demand, and typically enable college students who pursue these vocations to be self-employed. I used to be additionally capable of hear KCKCC current its proposal for his or her group schooling middle in downtown KCK to the SPARKS committee. I wish to thank Dr. Tami Bartunek, VP of Strategic Initiatives and Outreach, for the invitation, Wealthy Piper, Director of Technical Packages, for the tour, and President Greg Mosier for becoming a member of us.
Assembly with Michael Dodson
On Saturday, I met with State Consultant Dodson to debate Service Member Agricultural Vocational Schooling (SAVE) Farm and state points, together with the present workforce scarcity that continues to have an effect on businessed and sectors throughout the state, in addition to veteran housing, schooling and little one care.
SAVE Farm offers occupational agricultural coaching to veterans and transitioning service-members positioned on a farm close to Riley, Kansas. I appreciated the power to talk with Rep. Dodson about SAVE Farm and its initiatives that interact in outreach and coaching for veterans transitioning from army service to careers in agriculture.
Nationwide Rural Well being Day
Rural Kansans face distinctive challenges accessing the care they want and deserve. Thursday – Nationwide Rural Well being Day – we celebrated the ability of rural, and we acknowledged the efforts of our rural well being care suppliers for his or her devoted service to their communities.